Geriatric Medicine

Alzheimer's and Dementia Care Program

The UCLA Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care (ADC) program was launched in November 2011. By January 2025, the program has cared for over 4,370 patients and their families. The program is based in the UCLA health care system and utilizes a co-management model in which a nurse practitioner, Dementia Care Specialist, collaborates with referring providers and community-based organizations (CBOs) to provide comprehensive, coordinated, patient-centered care for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

The goals of the program are to maximize patient function, independence, and dignity, minimize caregiver strain and burnout, and reduce unnecessary costs through improved care. The program consists of four key components:

Structured needs assessments of patients and their caregivers
Creation and implementation of individualized dementia care plans based on needs assessments
Monitoring and revising care plans, as needed, and
Access 24/7, 365 days a year for assistance and advice

Patients receiving ADC care and their caregivers derive clinical benefit from the program and it reduces the likelihood of long-term nursing home placement. Moreover, their caregivers have more confidence that they can manage the tasks of dementia care and are more satisfied than when receiving usual care.

The ADC Program is the structure for UCLA’s Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) program, Medicare’s model for paying for enhanced dementia care, including respite for caregivers. UCLA patients with other insurance are also eligible for ADC services.