Rowan, Rutgers Announce Launch of Alzheimer’s Journey Coordinator Certificate Program

Rowan University/Rutgers-Camden Board of Governors (RURCBOG) announced a collaboration with Otsuka America Pharmaceutical and its affiliate Avanir Pharmaceuticals to launch an Alzheimer’s Journey Coordination Certificate Program. The certified Alzheimer’s Journey Coordinators will move patients and families through the care continuum, and they will be uniquely positioned to provide support and guidance outside the four walls of a clinic setting to assist with clinical needs, as well as non-medical aspects of the disease. The Alzheimer’s Journey Coordinators will assist with issues of home safety, transportation barriers, legal, financial planning, and more.

"More than 85,000 South Jersey families are caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s, and we must do all we can to help these families," Rep. Donald Norcross, U.S. Representative for New Jersey’s First Congressional District said. "Alzheimer’s is known as the ‘long goodbye,’ because of the sad, long time interval between illness and death. It’s good to see this new and innovative approach to care coordination, which will provide caregivers the tools and information that can help them during this time. Almost all of us know someone who has cared for or is caring for a person with Alzheimer’s, and it can be an emotional and stressful job. So let’s do all we can to support them."

RURCBOG and Otsuka will lead an advisory committee to develop a curriculum, explore sustainable funding sources, and identify viable career opportunities for Certified Journey Coordinators. The committee will be composed of experts and practitioners in the field and community.

"Alzheimer’s Journey Coordinator Certificate Program is a unique, innovative solution for addressing the growing needs of those affected by Alzheimer’s in Camden," Mary Michael, Vice President of Patient Advocacy and Stakeholder Management at Otsuka America Pharmaceutical said. "The healthcare system is deeply complex and the ecosystem of Alzheimer’s is fragmented and disconnected. Too often, individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers are left overwhelmed and confused. Coordinators who have been trained to understand the unique barriers to Alzheimer’s care can help surmount these challenges. Along with Avanir, we look forward to collaborating with RURCBOG and its partnering higher education institutions."

The Alzheimer’s Journey Coordinator Certificate Program will provide person-centered support and guidance for both clinical and non-clinical health needs. It is modeled off programs in oncology and other disease areas, which have reduced healthcare disparities, improved health outcomes, and lowered costs. The concept for Alzheimer’s Journey Coordinators was created in Otsuka’s work through the Global Council on Alzheimer’s Disease (GCAD). GCAD was created in 2015 to provide practical, on-the-ground solutions for those managing Alzheimer’s. It brings together diverse thought leaders from science, medicine, policy, finance, advocacy, technology, and caregiving to identify goals and near-term projects that can improve lives.

The pilot program is scheduled to launch Fall of 2018 as a one-year certification program offered at Camden County College.