Healthcare systems do not traditionally see caregivers as part of the care continuum or team, but they're missing out on a key factor that could help prevent readmissions and negative patient outcomes, Mia Yang, MD, told Becker's.
Many people with undiagnosed cognitive impairments and other disorders rely on family and friends to care for them. However, caregivers are not generally recognized by the healthcare system as being part of the care team despite their contributions to the health of the patient, including helping them take medications.
"That's part of what we're working on—highlighting the importance of caregivers and supporting them through educational efforts and potentially respite payments from CMS," Dr. Yang, associate professor of gerontology and geriatric medicine at Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Wake Forest University School of Medicine, said.
In dementia and memory care, Dr. Yang said her hope is that everyone has access to an interdisciplinary care team that includes person- and caregiver-centric interventions.