According to the Alzheimer’s Association, as many as 5.4 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, including an estimated 200,000 under the age of 65; by 2050, up to 16 million will have the disease. Earlier recognition and formal support as well as better general health of our older population means that more Americans are living longer with AD, and increasing numbers of families and communities are involved in the lives of people with AD. The financial strain on families and our societal structures, mainly healthcare and government, is part of living with AD. Early diagnosis has been shown to reduce overall costs due to earlier intervention, better assessment and planning of care, and the extension of time living in the community rather than in more expensive care settings. This CE module provides an overview of how individual healthcare providers and the healthcare team can support the people living with AD. Public awareness and personal family experience has increased the level of community and individual awareness of memory loss and AD over the past decade, almost everyone knows someone with AD. While researchers continue to focus on understanding causes and developing treatments, we are also recognizing the unique needs of the person living with AD, the family struggling to understand AD, and the community organizations working to expand approaches to care and support. Our multiple roles as healthcare professionals require an expanded mindset beyond the clinical that addresses AD as a long-term chronic brain disease with elements that change over time, a condition that can be supported by a creative, interprofessional approach and consistent advocacy on behalf of people with AD and their families. This CE module provides an overview of how individual healthcare providers and the healthcare team can support the people living with AD. Public awareness and personal family experience has increased the level of community and individual awareness of memory loss and AD over the past decade, almost everyone knows someone with AD. While researchers continue to focus on understanding causes and developing treatments, we are also recognizing the unique needs of the person living with AD, the family struggling to understand AD, and the community organizations working to expand approaches to care and support. Our multiple roles as healthcare professionals require an expanded mindset beyond the clinical that addresses AD as a long-term chronic brain disease with elements that change over time, a condition that can be supported by a creative, interprofessional approach and consistent advocacy on behalf of people with AD and their families. This CE module provides an overview of how individual healthcare providers and the healthcare team can support the people living with AD. Public awareness and personal family experience has increased the level of community and individual awareness of memory loss and AD over the past decade, almost everyone knows someone with AD. While researchers continue to focus on understanding causes and developing treatments, we are also recognizing the unique needs of the person living with AD, the family struggling to understand AD, and the community organizations working to expand approaches to care and support. Our multiple roles as healthcare professionals require an expanded mindset beyond the clinical that addresses AD as a long-term chronic brain disease with elements that change over time, a condition that can be supported by a creative, interprofessional approach and consistent advocacy on behalf of people with AD and their families. This CE module provides an overview of how individual healthcare providers and the healthcare team can support the people living with AD. Public awareness and personal family experience has increased the level of community and individual awareness of memory loss and AD over the past decade, almost everyone knows someone with AD. While researchers continue to focus on understanding causes and developing treatments, we are also recognizing the unique needs of the person living with AD, the family struggling to understand AD, and the community organizations working to expand approaches to care and support. Our multiple roles as healthcare professionals require an expanded mindset beyond the clinical that addresses AD as a long-term chronic brain disease with elements that change over time, a condition that can be supported by a creative, interprofessional approach and consistent advocacy on behalf of people with AD and their families. This CE module provides an overview of how individual healthcare providers and the healthcare team can support the people living with AD. Public awareness and personal family experience has increased the level of community and individual awareness of memory loss and AD over the past decade, almost everyone knows someone with AD. While researchers continue to focus on understanding causes and developing treatments, we are also recognizing the unique needs of the person living with AD, the family struggling to understand AD, and the community organizations working to expand approaches to care and support. Our multiple roles as healthcare professionals require an expanded mindset beyond the clinical that addresses AD as a long-term chronic brain disease with elements that change over time, a condition that can be supported by a creative, interprofessional approach and consistent advocacy on behalf of people with AD and their families. This CE module provides an overview of how individual healthcare providers and the healthcare team can support the people living with AD. Public awareness and personal family experience has increased the level of community and individual awareness of memory loss and AD over the past decade, almost everyone knows someone with AD. While researchers continue to focus on understanding causes and developing treatments, we are also recognizing the unique needs of the person living with AD, the family struggling to understand AD, and the community organizations working to expand approaches to care and support. Our multiple roles as healthcare professionals require an expanded mindset beyond the clinical that addresses AD as a long-term chronic brain disease with elements that change over time, a condition that can be supported by a creative, interprofessional approach and consistent advocacy on behalf of people with AD and their families. This CE module provides an overview of how individual healthcare providers and the healthcare team can support the people living with AD.
