ADDRESSING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEEDS OF FAMILY CAREGIVERS AND VETERANS WITH DEMENTIA IN PRIMARY CARE

The New York/New Jersey VA Health Care Network maintains an evidence-based approach to improving dementia recognition and supporting family caregivers of primary care veterans with dementia. This telephone-based program is administered through a telehealth call center and currently provides services to primary care clinics and family caregivers across the upstate New York region. The program includes brief cognitive and health behavior assessment for veterans with identified risk for undiagnosed dementia, linkage between primary care providers and dementia specialists, and, care management services. Caregiver education and support emphasizes training in management of behavioral symptoms of dementia. Program evaluation by the VA Center for Integrated Healthcare has demonstrated positive outcomes including: more rapid recognition of dementia in primary care; improved caregiver attitude, self-efficacy, and, understanding of veteran behaviors; and, the decreased costs of care for these veterans.