By Rhonda Quintana

The data is undeniable. America stands at the precipice of a caregiving crisis, and the burden disproportionately falls upon unpaid family caregivers, particularly those tending to loved ones with dementia. In its unflinching report “America’s Unseen Workforce: The State of Family Caregiving,” Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health delineated some stark – and startling realities:

• 48% of America's states are on the brink of a caregiving emergency.
• 39.7% of the total valuation of unpaid family caregiving is due to dementia.
• A 10% increase in caregivers caring for a loved one with dementia would increase the value of caregiving nationally by $62.3 billion.

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Unpaid family caregiving is no longer a private matter; it is a national healthcare emergency that demands swift, coordinated action. Physicians, in their pivotal role within the healthcare system, are well poised to actively engage with unpaid family caregivers as indispensable partners in providing quality care for patients with dementia. 

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has underscored this critical relationship by launching the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) model of care, which aims to improve the quality of life for people with dementia and reduce the strain on their unpaid family caregivers. By focusing on providing comprehensive, coordinated dementia care, GUIDE brings caregivers and physicians together – as it always should have been.

Families are stretched thin, struggling to provide the necessary care with limited resources and support, and the intensity of unpaid family caregiving is increasing. The real-world value of their efforts far surpasses previous estimates and is being exacerbated by the rise in dementia and its associated complex care needs.

By connecting people to resources such as Ceresti Health, physicians can include and empower the unpaid family caregivers who are on the front lines daily.

After all, doctors are the ones who often witness the dedication and sacrifices of these caregivers. They see families navigating complex medical needs, emotional challenges and financial burdens. But observation is not enough. With the GUIDE model, physicians have a powerful set of tools, and an obligation-to act.

Actively incorporating caregivers into the care team – and connecting them to resources like Ceresti – can ensure that patients receive comprehensive, continuous and compassionate care.

Ceresti recognizes the caregiver’s deep commitment, unique insights into their loved one’s idiosyncracies, and 24/7 access. By giving family caregivers the knowledge, skills and confidence they need, Ceresti empowers caregivers to use their deep understanding of their loved one’s daily routines, behaviors and needs to partner with physicians, reduce avoidable hospitalizations and improve care for the people they love.

We applaud the Columbia University report and urge physicians to help stave off the caregiving crisis by providing family caregivers with the resources and support they need. GUIDE includes training programs, access to respite care and financial assistance – but it is meaningless unless someone helps caregivers navigate the enrollment and eligibility process. 

Ceresti serves as a guide and advocate-educating caregivers on eligibility, navigating them through resources and supporting them every step of the way.

As dementia diagnoses increase, the demand for caregiving will inevitably rise, stretching the capacity of states’ healthcare systems already under pressure. The journey of dementia care should not be shouldered alone; it is our collective responsibility to ensure that no caregiver feels they are.

Physicians can be the catalyst for change. To help your dementia patients and  their family caregivers access the benefits of the GUIDE model, refer them to Ceresti Health: guide.ceresti.com