Staff Access

Services for Specific Populations

Chronic Illness
Alzheimer's Disease/Dementia

Mass General Dementia Care Collaborative - education and support for patients and caregivers.

Programs open to the community include Conversations for Caregivers, health & resiliency Programs, and exercise programs- anyone is welcome, no requirement to get care at MGH. These programs are for MGH patients followed in specific clinics: individualized care consultation, caregiver support groups, fundamental skills course for caregivers. At this writing the participating clinics are: Neurology Memory Disorder Unit, Geriatric Psychiatry, Geriatric Medicine, Internal Medical Associates, Memory Care Program at Bulfinch Medical Group, Memory Care Program at Newton Wellesley 978 Clinic and Memory Care Program at Newton Wellesley Primary Care of Wellesley. See the website for more information (and under "Please click here for program eligiblity" for current list of participating clinics)

Alzheimers.gov

Alzheimer's Association- educational materials for patients, families and caregivers about the disease and coping.

Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (MGB) - Resources for Patients & Caregivers and Brigham and Women’s Center for Brain/Mind Medicine Resource Guide

Guides

• From the Alzheimer's Association (MA/NH Chapter):
  • Taking Control: A Guide for EARLY-STAGE Alzheimer's Disease
  • Family Care Guide: A Guide for Families Caring for Someone with Alzheimer’s Disease or a Related Dementia
  • Later Stage Alzheimer’s Disease: A Caregiver’s Guide
• From the Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office (MMCO) in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS):
  • Managing Behaviors Associated with Dementia: Resource Guide for Healthcare Professionals
  • Managing Behaviors Associated with Dementia: Resource Guide for Caregivers 

Wandering

• Locating Devices and Other Wandering Prevention Technology - Autism Speaks
• The Byrne Program allocates funds to local police departments nationwide to pay for tracking devices to distribute to families with individuals who are at risk of wandering. Individuals should contact their local police department to apply.
• 10 Lifesaving Location Devices for Dementia Patients- Alzheimers.net
• Guide- Protect Your Loved Ones from Wandering - MGH Community News, February 2013
• Tips for Families to Manage Alzheimer's-Related Wandering - MGH Community News, October 2001
• Program Highlight: North Star - Boston Police Program to Find those Who Wander - MGH Community News, September 2011

Firearms

• Firearms and Dementia: How Do You Convince A Loved One to Give Up Their Guns?- MGH Community News, November 2018
  • Sample Firearms Safety Agreement

Program Highlights

• Savvy Caregiver Dementia Training - a free training program that provides family caregivers with skills and knowledge about dementia. Contact the program for future dates. For more information, see “Savvy Caregiver” Dementia Training Returns in May- MGH Community News, April 2019.
• One Hundredth Memory Café Opens in Massachusetts- Memory cafés are social gatherings for people living with Alzheimer’s or a related disorder, their family members, friends, and caregivers. They meet at a variety of places including coffeehouses, museums, or community organizations. Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JF&CS) hosts a statewide Memory Café Directory. From MGH Community News, February 2019.

Alzheimer's In the News

• Report: Unique Challenges for LGBT Community Facing Dementia- from  the Alzheimer’s Association and SAGE. MGH Community News, September 2018
• Alzheimer's Law Signed by Governor Baker- this legislation helps patients and their families receive better, more comprehensive care. From MGH Community News, August 2018
• First National Alzheimer's Disease Action Plan - MGH Community News, January 2011

Also see:

Caregivers Page

Of Clinical Interest > Dementia (for professionals)