On November 2, 2023, CMS finalized its proposal to make payments when practitioners train caregivers to support patients with certain diseases (e.g., dementia). Starting January 1, 2024, Medicare pays for caregiver training services when furnished by the following practitioners:
Physician practitioner
Non-physician practitioners, including:
Nurse practitioners
Clinical nurse specialists
Certified nurse-midwives
Physician assistants
Clinical psychologists
Therapists, including:
Physical therapist
Occupational therapist
Speech-language pathologist
Any practitioner above can provide caregiver training as part of a patient's individualized treatment or therapy plan. For example, caregivers can get Alzheimer's and dementia training.
Ten Warning Signs of Alzheimer's
Caregivers need to be aware of the ten warning signs of Alzheimer's disease:
Memory loss that disrupts daily life
Challenges in planning or solving problems
Difficulty completing familiar tasks
Confusion with time and place
Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
New problems with words in speaking or writing
Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
Decreased or poor judgment
Withdrawal from work or social activities
Changes in mood and personality
Alzheimer's Caregiving Tips
Caregivers can help people with Alzheimer's disease safely bathe, dress, and groom.
Bathing safety tips
Don't leave the person alone in the tub or shower
Do check the water temperature before the person enters
Do use a rubber bath mat in the tub and a sturdy shower chair
Dressing tips
Lay clothes in the order the person puts them on – underwear on top, pants in the middle, and shirt on the bottom.
Buy multiple sets of the same clothing to reduce choice anxiety.
Use elastic shoelaces for easy slip-on.
Grooming tips
Caregiver can brush their teeth at the same time to demonstrate.
You can use an electric toothbrush to clean the person's teeth.
Encourage the man to shave using an electric shaver for safety.
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