In collaboration with the Department of Human Services (DHS): the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) using the Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI), this project will involve the development of a comprehensive literature review examining the impacts of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) on patients and their caregivers.

The project aims to help the AAA focus on strategies to delay the onset of ADRD in Allegheny County by enhancing early detection and prevention programs through the Building Our Largest Dementia Infrastructure (Bold) Grant. Additionally, the project will explore how public health initiatives can increase access to care, educate the public, and train healthcare providers to better support patients and caregivers.

Secondary research will serve as a basis for the analysis of the Behavioral Surveillance Survey System (BRFSS) data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and ACHD. Literature reviews will identify public health strategies and interventions for ADRD that AAA can implement using BRFSS data. An interview of several departments in the AAA was conducted regarding the preventable and diagnostic care that the AAA provides for patients dealing with dementia and memory problems. The data achieved will be qualitatively analyzed to provide feedback and possible program implementations about ADRD services offered in correspondence with the secondary research.

This project aims to provide evidence-based strategies to improve early detection and diagnosis, enhance caregiving support, and raise awareness within the county. These efforts will promote earlier interventions and integrate them into community health practices. In the future, AAA will aid the HBI and use the American Heart Association’s cardiovascular disease guidelines as a model to establish ADRD-specific public health interventions.  This project will utilize levels of prevention to develop a baseline need for the ADRD community, aiming to improve overall health outcomes and support for patients and caregivers.