Effort seeks to help New York health systems improve health outcomes and manage costs for people living with dementia
New York, NY – February 3, 2020 - The Alzheimer’s Association announced today that it has launched a new health systems initiative in New York State and across the country aimed at facilitating and enhancing dementia care in the clinical setting. The Alzheimer’s Association is working to engage more than 300 health systems nationwide to offer proven solutions for improving health outcomes and more effectively managing the cost of care for people living with dementia.
Doris Saintil Phildor, has been appointed health systems director for the downstate region of New York. Ms. Saintil Phildor will work to connect health systems and clinicians with Alzheimer’s Association resources, tools and training. She will also be responsible for incorporating feedback from providers in order to evolve and enhance the Alzheimer’s Association’s support of their work. Saintil Phildor will work in concert with Anne Martin who has been hired as health systems director for the upstate region.
“The Alzheimer’s Association is committed to supporting people living with dementia and the providers that care for them,” said Christopher Smith, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association, New York City Chapter. “Our new health systems strategy will help the Alzheimer’s Association better understand the needs of providers so that all New Yorkers living with dementia receive quality care.”
The Alzheimer’s Association is proud to count BronxCare Health System as an early health systems initiative partner. BronxCare providers recently participated in Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes), an Alzheimer’s Association program that helps primary care providers to build expertise in dementia care. Over the course of 12 bi-weekly, hour long sessions, BronxCare providers engaged in case-based learning that increased their ability to detect, diagnose and provide quality ongoing care for patients with dementia.
"BronxCare's partnership with the Alzheimer's Association is enabling us to expand our base of knowledge through an innovative learning approach involving experts in the field," stated Dr. Barbara McLean, attending, Primary Care Medicine.
“The Alzheimer's Association initiative is providing our expert and experienced team with the unique opportunity to reinforce our efforts in addressing the needs of patients, their caregivers, and their families throughout the Bronx," added Dr. Yvonne Cruz, medical director, BronxCare Medical and Dental Practice at Poe.
The new initiative will work with health systems and clinicians to achieve the following:
- Improve health outcomes – Facilitate timely and accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and other dementias, improve care management, and prevent complications among older adults with comorbid conditions.
- Enhance the clinical experience for people living with dementia and their caregivers – Ensure communication that provides educated answers and well-planned next steps, so that individuals and their families can access care services, make future financial plans and participate in clinical trials.
- Reduce the burden on clinicians – Empower clinicians with the training, resources and support to deliver a difficult diagnosis and provide follow-up care through an interdisciplinary approach that optimizes the roles of the clinician and other members of the health care team.
- Manage cost of care more effectively – Work with health systems and clinicians to enhance disease management following a diagnosis, including strategies that can prevent or reduce unnecessary hospitalizations and emergency department visits.
The Alzheimer’s Association offers a variety of resources to support health systems and clinicians throughout the disease continuum, including early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and other dementias, management of these conditions, and care planning and support services following a diagnosis.
For a complete listing of available resources to support health systems and clinicians, go to:
https://www.alz.org/professionals/health-systems-clinicians.
About BronxCare Health System
BronxCare is the largest voluntary, not-for-profit health and teaching hospital system serving the South and Central Bronx, with 859 beds. Its two hospital divisions, comprehensive psychiatric and chemical dependency programs, long-term care facility, and extensive outpatient network are delivering the highest quality and accessible services to the community. BronxCare is also among the largest providers of outpatient services in New York City, with close to one million visits annually and an ER that is responding to 140,000 visits, one of the busiest in New York.
Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association leads the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia.™ For more information, visit www.alz.org or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.