Care Planning Resource Guide
The goal of this tool is to provide you with resources on Alzheimer’s and other dementias to aid in the care planning process for your patients. Below you will find helpful links on safety, behavioral changes, legal and financial topics, and caregiver resources.
CPT® code 99483 provides reimbursement for a clinical visit that results in a comprehensive care plan, allowing you to deliver services that can contribute to a higher quality of life for your patients. For immediate assistance and questions on Alzheimer’s and related dementias, anyone including physicians and caregivers can call our toll free 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900. Open 24 hours a day for 7 days a week, our Helpline is available in more than 200 languages and serves as a gateway to all of our programs and services.
Safety
- Home Safety
- Community Safety
Behavioral Changes
- Neuropsychiatric Symptoms (agitation, delusions, delirium, hallucinations, suspicions, repetition, anxiety, aggression, depression, apathy, suicidal ideations or behavior)
- Sundowning
- Sleep Disruption and Behaviors
- Incontinence
- Aggressive Behavior
- Wandering
Legal/Financial
- Advanced Directives (health care proxy, estate planning)
- Decision-making Capacity (financial, health, other)
- Finances
- Elder Abuse (MA Adult Protective Services)
- Undue Influence
- VA Benefits
- Transitioning Care Environment
- Medicare/Medicaid
- End of Life Care/Hospice
Caregiver Resources
- Transportation
- Transitioning Care Environment
- Home Care Resources
- Disease Education
- Support Groups
- Day Programs
- Finding Resources in Community
- Alzheimer’s Association Programs and Events
- Care at Home
- Community Services
- Housing Options
- Medical Services
- Memory Cafes
- Early Stage Programs (AlzMeetUps)
- Caregiver Health
- Dementia Care Coordination/Physician Referral (The PCP should initiate this)
- 24/7 Helpline (800-272-3900)
- Disease/Medication Management
- Access to Clinical Trials
- Education Programs
- Disability for those Diagnosed Before Age 65
- Management of Activities of Daily Living
Pain has an impact on behavior, function and quality of life for people living with dementia, but is one of the most mismanaged conditions. The challenges of understanding and treating acute and chronic pain for those with dementia are complex and often overlooked. Identifying and treating pain requires the ability to listen to what individuals are communicating through behaviors and body language. To treat pain for someone with dementia we must look beyond the words. This keynote offers the opportunity to explore strategies for identifying and managing pain including the use of standardized tools for assessment and monitoring along with the use of medications for individualizing comfort measures.
Melanie Bunn, GNP, MS, RN, is a Consulting Associate at the Duke University School of Nursing, Certified Trainer, Coach and Consultant for Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care, and has her own education consulting company, Bunn Consulting. She received her degree in Nursing from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Master’s degree in Family Health Nursing from Clemson University and a Post-Master’s Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Certificate from Duke University. She has provided primary care to older people in a variety of settings including retirement homes, long term care nursing, assisted living facilities, hospitals, and in the home as a gerontological nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist and staff nurse. In 2014, Ms. Bunn was awarded the Dr. Ewald W. Busse Award by the NC Division of Aging and Adult Services Department of Health and Human Services for her contributions to improving the care of older adults with dementia and their families.
James Wessler
Paul S. Stuka
Barry Greene
Thomas A. Croswell