Support for Patients Living with Dementia and their Care Partners During and After a Visit to the Emergency Department

ED-LEAD is a brain health program for patients with dementia and their care partners available during the emergency department visit and following discharge. The goal of the program is to better meet the unique needs of patients living with dementia and support care partners with their responsibilities. Through this program we are discovering how best to serve patients and provide care that will improve their health and wellbeing.

Participation in this Important Program

If your health system is part of ED-LEAD, you may be offered additional resources when you visit the emergency department. In addition to enhancements of the Emergency Care Redesign program, patients may be offered either or both of the following programs:

Community Paramedic Home Visit and Telephone Calls

The home visits of the Community Paramedic program are designed to help people stay healthy at home and reduce their chances of returning to the emergency room or hospital. An experienced and skilled community paramedic who has received training on brain health needs will carry out a number of home visits and telephone calls with the patient and their care partner.

Telephone Nursing Care

In this program, a nurse will contact the patient after discharge from the emergency room to carry out a series of scheduled phone calls. During the calls, the nurse will come to understand the patient and their care partner’s unique needs; create a personalized care plan oriented around staying healthy at home and through outpatient care; and refer helpful community resources.

All ED-LEAD programs are free. You may receive some or all programs. Participation is voluntary and just like any usual care you receive in any health setting, you may decide not to participate at any point. Not participating in any of the ED-LEAD programs will not impact your usual care.