News — Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) and the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) are addressing the urgent public health crisis of dementia in Tennessee through the launch of the Tennessee Dementia ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) Program. This innovative telementoring program aims to equip health care professionals statewide with the skills to improve early diagnosis and care for individuals with dementia.
In 2021, TDH received Building Our Largest Dementia Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act (P.L. 115-406) funding to advance Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) as a public health issue. The Tennessee Dementia ECHO program is central to this initiative, working to enhance provider knowledge on risk reduction, early detection and care management. It also aims to enhance awareness of community resources available for those with ADRD and their caregivers.
An estimated 129,200 Tennesseans aged 65 and older are living with ADRD,1 according to the 2024 Alzheimer’s Association report. Tennessee ranks 14th highest in Alzheimer’s-related deaths nationwide1, underscoring the urgent need for early detection and comprehensive care pathways. Delayed diagnosis can result in poor health outcomes, making it essential to integrate dementia screening into routine health care and manage the disease as a chronic condition.
“Dementia is a public health crisis that affects families and communities across Tennessee every day,” said Ray Romano, PhD, MPH, MSN, RN, nurse practitioner at the Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer’s Center. “By expanding our outreach through the Tennessee Dementia ECHO, we are democratizing dementia care knowledge, empowering providers to deliver high-quality care, and improving outcomes for patients.”
Improving Dementia Care Across Tennessee
By participating in the Tennessee Dementia ECHO, health care providers across Tennessee are gaining the tools needed to detect dementia early and offer comprehensive care to patients. Using video conferencing, brief lectures and case-based discussions, participants engage in a two-way learning network that fosters an “all learn, all teach” approach. This platform allows health care providers to share clinical challenges and learn from both peers and experts without the need for expensive in-person training or travel.
“This program is crucial to ensuring that all Tennesseans, especially in rural and underserved areas, have access to providers skilled in diagnosing and managing dementia to support aging with dignity and quality,” said Ralph Alvarado, MD, commissioner at the Tennessee Department of Health. “Equipping health care professionals across Tennessee with the latest training ensures that people living with ADRD and their caregivers receive the support and quality care they deserve.”
Health care providers who join the program can earn up to 12 continuing education credits. For more information about the Tennessee Dementia ECHO, including how to participate, visit or contact Romano at [email protected].
1.
RSS