Improving quality measurement for dementia care

Published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia. Here is a link to the article.

Regenstrief Institute authors: Nicole Fowler, PhD, MHSA.

A comprehensive review published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia underscores the urgent need for enhanced and standardized quality measurement in dementia care across the United States. With nearly seven million Americans currently living with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia (ADRD), the article highlights the persistent gaps in care quality and access.

The review finds that existing quality measures for ADRD are fragmented and inconsistently applied. It identifies critical deficiencies in early detection, person-centered care planning, caregiver support and the development of dementia-capable health systems. Notably, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ recent implementation of the GUIDE Model—an Alternative Payment Model launched in 2023—offers a promising framework for performance-based improvements through its mandatory reporting on key dementia care metrics.

To advance high-quality care, the article recommends broader adoption of current evidence-based measures and strategic development of new metrics in underserved domains such as emotional support, therapeutic environments and care coordination. The authors call for national consensus on standardized dementia care quality measures, similar to the process used for age-friendly health systems.

Importantly, the report emphasizes the necessity of culturally valid metrics that address health disparities, particularly among racial, ethnic and rural populations disproportionately affected by ADRD. Increased data collection and reporting by race and ethnicity are deemed essential to inform targeted interventions and equitable care improvements.

The review concludes that immediate action is required to implement available quality measures while investing in the long-term development of more inclusive and comprehensive standards. These steps are vital to ensuring that all individuals living with dementia—and their caregivers—receive consistent, person-centered and high-quality care nationwide

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