HHS Taskforce Recommends Improving Direct-Care Workers’ Dementia-Care Competency

One strategy identified in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services‘ (HHS) draft taskforce plan to meet the Obama Administration’s goal of developing effective ways to treat and prevent Alzheimer’s disease by 2025 is to “Build a Workforce with the Skills to Provide High-Quality Care.”

The plan recognizes direct-care workers as long-term care providers who care for people with Alzheimer’s disease and recommends expanding and enhancing direct-care workers’ “dementia-specific capabilities” to “Enhance Care Quality and Efficiency,” one of the taskforce’s five general goals.

HHS and other experts met on January 17 and 18 to finalize the Draft Framework for a National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease (pdf), according to a USA Today article.

HHS is seeking emailed input on the plan through February 8, 2012. A final report is due to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius in early February.

— by Deane Beebe