Social and Financial Costs of Millennial Dementia Caregivers is a report that explores the economic impact of the shift to millennial caregivers and a higher rate of Alzheimer’s disease in minority groups. The paper involves four calls to action and potential policy recommendations. It also includes discussion strategies to support and advocate for dementia millennial caregivers and their families. Slides available upon request.
Aging with Disability is an issue brief covering trending topics on the issue of aging with a disability. As a Research Assistant for Advancing States, I contributed to the publication, which informs grantmakers about their unique opportunity to play a vital role in marshaling resources to enable this population to remain fully integrated with the larger community and culture. Having a disability does not prevent living a healthy lifestyle.
The National Quality Forum convened a multistakeholder committee meeting for a project titled Prioritizing Measure Gaps: Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias. I provided strategy and thought leadership for the project that explored how quality and efficiency measures can improve care and outcomes for patients with dementia. Alzheimer’s affects 6.5 million Americans and is a leading cause of death in the U.S.A.
Published by Advancing States, the Friday Update is an email newsletter that consolidates federal level news on aging and disability policy in the U.S. I researched, gathered, and wrote the Update for federal, state, and local policymakers to expert advisors, researchers, and advocates. I also enhanced the e-newsletter by adding social media buttons to the template. Circulation at its peak was estimated at nearly 4,340 readers.
Medicaid assists low-income residents in paying for hospital stays, doctor visits, and long-term medical and custodial care costs. I produced a fact sheet about Medicaid Milestones for the Home and Community-Based Services Conference that showcases promising practices in long-term services and support. Health insurance is not a privilege, it’s a right, and it’s critical to advocate for it. Fact sheet available upon request.
During my undergraduate studies, I performed biomedical research at the City of Hope (COH) National Medical Center and National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (NSF REU). I also conducted and facilitated a study about therapeutic interventions for dementia patients in a memory care community as part of my graduate studies. My NSF REU bioinformatics poster is available upon request.
Sophie Okolo, MPH 