Care Prepared, Inc., a nonprofit organization based in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, is partnering with the national nonprofit Compassion & Choices to offer a Maryland-specific version of the Dementia Values & Priorities Tool on their website. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, dementia is a growing health crisis in Maryland, and recent studies show that in Maryland, 17.5% of people aged 45 and older have subjective cognitive decline.
The Dementia Values and Priorities Tool is designed to help individuals communicate their wishes regarding future care if they are living with dementia. After answering a series of questions related to the changes commonly seen in the progression of dementia, the tool will provide the user with a document that can be part of their advance care plan, added to their existing advance directive, and shared with others.
The Alzheimer’s Association also notes that creating an advance care plan and documenting wishes as early as possible in the event of Alzheimer’s disease or a dementia diagnosis enables individuals to have a say in their future healthcare.
Jessica Empeño, Compassion & Choices National Director, Clinical Engagement, said, “Compassion & Choices is proud to partner with Care Prepared in an effort to reach Marylanders with vital resources to plan ahead for a dementia diagnosis. Together, we can make real change happen in the lives of Marylanders looking for guidance, support and information about dementia.”
Studies have shown that for individuals with a dementia diagnosis, documenting wishes for future healthcare interventions before they are needed can help align a person’s values and preferences with the care they receive and decrease the decision-making burden for caregivers and loved ones.
Marylanders are invited to create their dementia directive using the Dementia Values & Priorities Tool at https://careprepared.org/dementia-values-tool/.
Care Prepared, Inc., an all-volunteer nonprofit established in 2023, aims to increase the understanding, access, and documentation of healthcare planning for all individuals (regardless of race, gender, age, socioeconomic status, or sexual orientation), especially those with life-limiting conditions before a medical crisis. Care Prepared provides education and outreach about advance care planning through numerous presentations (in person and virtually) and participates in various local community events.
Care Prepared – Discover your options. Discuss your choices. Document your decisions.
Compassion & Choices is the nation’s oldest, largest and most active nonprofit organization committed to improving healthcare options at the end of life.
Contact Information:
Tammy Turner
Founder and President of the Board of Directors
Care Prepared, Inc.
410.960.9143
Compassion & Choices
Media Contacts
David Blank
Media Relations Director
[email protected]
Phone: (227) 225 6553
Patricia A. González-Portillo
Senior National Latino Media Director
[email protected]
(323) 819 0310
Mail contributions directly to:
Compassion & Choices Gift Processing Center
PO Box 485
Etna, NH 03750
