June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month and marks an important moment to remember that nearly 12 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer's or other dementias, according to the Alzheimer's Association. Most caregivers are thrust into the role without a roadmap and they figure it out as they go along.
Family Medicine Physicians see the full arc of cognitive decline and are frequently the steady, reliable resource from diagnosis until death. This positions them to often be the most trusted medical professional for patients and their families – and in communities with limited care options, potentially the only medical resource. Cognitive decline, or dementia, particularly requires physicians engage the patient and the person or persons who will be providing primary, daily care.
Early diagnosis and including caregivers starting with early conversations is critical to ensuring the best experience for the patient. As Dr. Wilson states in ACOFP’s new caregiver guide, “I’ve sat with too many families who wish they had come in sooner. This isn’t about creating fear — it’s about creating opportunity. Acting early gives people the chance to have a say in what lies ahead, for themselves and for the people who love them.”
The same logic applies to the caregiver. They sooner they understand what they're navigating, the better positioned they are to make informed decisions, seek support, and sustain the effort over time without sacrificing their own health in the process. Caregiver burnout affects the quality of care patients receive, the decisions families make under pressure, and the long-term health of caregivers themselves. Pointing someone toward a support group, a respite resource, or a legal planning tool before crisis hits is part of the whole-person osteopathic care ethos.
To help, ACOFP has developed a new resource to support our members and other family medicine clinicians. "The Caregiver's Guide to Cognitive Impairment: Dementia, Alzheimer's and Beyond" walks caregivers through every stage of cognitive decline, explains the terms they'll encounter in medical and legal settings, and connects them with national resources for support, planning and mental health. It's written for caregivers and is a resource for family physicians to reference and share.
Download the handout today at acofp.org/cognitive-care
