Add Caregiver Status to Health Records, Alzheimer's Panel Says

At the meeting in Washington, the council adopted a proposal to add a collection of caregiver support performance measures to the National Plan, the document that shapes the council's work.

One that could affect health insurers calls for a change in patients' medical records.

Medical records should include the name of the primary caregiver of a patient with dementia, according to the council.

The council also wants to see the medical records for the caregiver note that the caregiver is acting as a caregiver.

Researchers have found evidence that providing care may affect the health of the caregiver.

The council also approved:

• A request for the government to study how responsibility for caregiving for adults with dementia is affecting young children.

• A request for Congress to expand the scope of the federal Older Americans Act, to let the government provide more services under the OAA for non-elderly adults with early-onset dementia.

• A request for National Family Caregiver Support Program funding aimed at families that care for loved ones with dementia who live alone.

• A recommendation for organizations to give children and young adults more information about dementia, both through classroom instruction and through social media.

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