COMMUNITY RATES OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND RELATED DEMENTIAS AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES IN CT, MA, & RI

Sep 29, 2026

The study examines community-level implications of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) beyond individual, family, and health-system costs. It describes community rates of ADRD and per-capita rates of supportive services, focusing on caregiver support groups and adult day health services. Using 2025 Healthy Aging Data Reports for CT, MA, and RI, age- and sex-adjusted ADRD rates are estimated for Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries diagnosed in 2020–2021. Adult day services and caregiver group counts are compiled from state and Alzheimer’s Association sources to assess access disparities.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Study Aim and Data Sources

ADRD Rate Estimation Methods

Supportive Services: Caregiver Groups and Adult Day Services

State and Community Findings

740 Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 Abstract citation ID: igaf122.2519 COMMUNITY RATES OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND RELATED DEMENTIAS AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES IN CT, MA, & RI Michelle Ward, Dongfang Hong, Nachalie Rodriguez-Cruz, Mengshi Liu, and Elizabeth Dugan, University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, United States The consequences of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) are well documented, but beyond the individual, family, and health system costs are implications for communities that are not well-studied. The aim of this study is to describe community rates of ADRD and the per capita rate of supportive services (caregiver support groups and adult day health services) . Data were obtained from the 2025 Healthy Aging Data Reports ([healthyagingdatareports.org](healthyagingdatareports.org)) for CT, MA, Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 741 and RI. Small area estimation techniques were used to calculate age-and sex-adjusted rates of ADRD for Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries ever diagnosed (2020-2021) . Caregiver support groups were obtained from the Alzheimer’s Association (2023) . Adult day service data sources were the CT Association of Adult Day Services, MA EOHHS, and RI Dept. of Health. Average state rates in adults 65+ were: CT 13.9%(Sherman, 6 .9%; Hartford, 22.4%); MA 12.9%(Washington, 6.7%; Chelsea, 20.0%); and RI 12.0%(Jamestown, 7.3%; Central Falls, 16.3%) . Per capita, RI (n = 15.9) had the most adult day centers per 100,000 adults age 65+, followed by MA (n = 12.0) and CT (n = 6.0) . For ADRD caregiver support groups, CT and RI (n = 4.6) had the most groups per 100,000 older adults, followed by MA (n = 2.1). The rates of ADRD vary slightly by state, with larger variations within each state. Many communities with higher rates of ADRD do not have any caregiver support groups or adult day programs, which provide crucial respite and emotional care. Understanding disparities in access to ADRD services will enable communities to identify needs in increasing supportive services.

FAQs

What is the main aim of the study?

The study describes community rates of ADRD and per-capita rates of supportive services, especially caregiver support groups and adult day health services, in CT, MA, and RI.

How are ADRD rates calculated in the study?

Small area estimation techniques are used to compute age- and sex-adjusted ADRD rates for Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries ever diagnosed in 2020–2021.

Where do the supportive service data come from?

Caregiver support group data come from the Alzheimer’s Association (2023). Adult day service data are sourced from the CT Association of Adult Day Services, MA EOHHS, and RI Department of Health.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by Jordan Avery