Alzheimer’s and related dementia is the only leading cause of death that cannot be prevented, cured, or even slowed. An estimated 6.7 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s, and this number is projected to grow rapidly in the coming years.
Last week, I had the privilege of representing CareYaya at my alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania. Penn’s AI symposium gathered researchers to discuss artificial intelligence and tech innovation to advance Alzheimer’s and dementia care
CareYaya was the only company from the South at this important gathering, hosted by the Penn Artificial Intelligence and Technology Collaboratory for Healthy Aging (PennAITech). PennAITech is one of three Artificial Intelligence and Technology Collaboratories (AITCs) funded by the National Institutes of Health to accelerate technological development in this critical area.
The weeklong event underscored the urgent need for innovation, particularly in the South, which is hit hardest by the dementia crisis. The first-ever county-level analysis of Alzheimer’s prevalence revealed that the Southeast has the highest rates of Alzheimer’s in the nation.
Many counties in the South have prevalence rates over 15% in the 65+ population, well above the national average. Demographic factors, such as higher percentages of older residents and Black and Hispanic populations who are at elevated risk, as well as diabetes rates and other co-morbidities, contribute to the South’s disproportionate Alzheimer’s burden.
As a Southern-based company committed to addressing this crisis, CareYaya is issuing a call-to-action. We need increased collaboration, innovation, and focus on the unique challenges facing our communities. It’s time for the South’s brightest minds in healthcare and technology to come together and develop solutions tailored to the needs of our region. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia.
The NIH’s Moonshot Initiative for AI in Alzheimer’s Care
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the sub-agency National Institute on Aging (NIA) have launched a groundbreaking initiative to accelerate the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies for Alzheimer’s and dementia care. The Artificial Intelligence and Technology Collaboratories (AITC) program, also known as the a2 Collective, has earmarked $40 million to fund promising pilot projects that seek to improve care and health outcomes for older adults, including those with Alzheimer’s and related dementias.
The a2 Collective comprises three collaboratories centered at Johns Hopkins University, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and the University of Pennsylvania. These multidisciplinary research centers provide access to state-of-the-art facilities, datasets, and expertise to support pilot projects focused on developing cutting-edge AI and technology solutions. By connecting pilot awardees with mentorship from industry experts, university researchers, and healthcare systems, the AITCs are creating a powerful network to drive transformative breakthroughs in Alzheimer’s and dementia care.
The South’s Disproportionate Burden of Alzheimer’s and Dementia
The South is facing a disproportionate burden in the fight against Alzheimer’s and dementia. According to a groundbreaking study presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) 2023, the first-ever county-level analysis of Alzheimer’s prevalence in the United States reveals that the Southeast has the highest rates of the disease. This study sheds light on the urgent need for targeted interventions and resources in our region
The researchers attribute this higher prevalence to a combination of demographic factors, including older average age and higher percentages of Black and Hispanic residents in the South. Older Black Americans are about twice as likely, and older Hispanics are about one and one-half times as likely, to have Alzheimer’s or other dementias compared to the older white population. As the South continues to experience rapid population aging, the impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia on families, communities, and healthcare systems will only intensify.
This underscores the critical importance of directing resources, support, and innovative solutions to the communities most affected by this crisis. The South desperately needs increased funding for research, caregiver support, and public health interventions tailored to the unique needs of our region. By working together and leveraging the expertise of our healthcare and technology sectors, we can develop effective strategies to address the Alzheimer’s crisis and improve the lives of those affected by this devastating disease.
CareYaya’s Three-Pronged Approach to Dementia Care Innovation
At CareYaya, we are committed to addressing the Alzheimer’s and dementia crisis in the South and across our country through innovative solutions that improve care, support caregivers, and advance research. Our three-pronged approach focuses on developing cutting-edge technologies and collaborating with leading institutions to create a comprehensive ecosystem of support for those affected by these diseases.
First, we have developed an affordable, tech-enabled dementia care platform at www.careyaya.org that connects families with qualified caregivers at a fraction of the cost of traditional care services. Our marketplace model, which started at Duke and UNC and has since spread to over 30 universities nationwide, enables families to book highly-vetted college student caregivers for just $15-20 per hour, compared to the industry average of $35-45 per hour. By leveraging technology to streamline the caregiver matching process and reduce overhead costs, we are making quality dementia care more accessible and affordable for families across the country.
Second, we are pioneering an AI-powered dementia care training program called YayaGuide, funded by the Johns Hopkins AITC through the NIH/NIA grant program. Set to launch this fall, YayaGuide aims to revolutionize the way caregivers learn and develop skills by providing an engaging, interactive platform that has been likened to the “Duolingo of dementia care training.” This innovative solution has the potential to upskill millions of family and professional caregivers, improving the quality of care for those living with dementia.
Third, we are collaborating with Emory University, Georgia Tech, and Georgia State University through the TReNDS center (Translational Research in Neuroimaging and Data Science) to develop CareYaya’s OpenMindTM dataset. This initiative aims to accelerate research and discovery in Alzheimer’s and dementia by creating a large, diverse, and accessible repository of neuroimaging and clinical data. By contributing to the development of this powerful research tool, CareYaya is helping to drive forward the scientific breakthroughs needed to improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of these diseases.
As a mission-driven company with deep roots in the South, CareYaya is dedicated to addressing the disproportionate impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia on our communities. Through our innovative care platform, AI-powered training program, and collaborative research initiatives, we are working tirelessly to improve the lives of those affected by these diseases and build a future where quality dementia care is accessible to all.
A Call-to-Action for the South’s AI and AgeTech Innovators
As we mark Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month this June, it is clear that the South faces a disproportionate burden in the fight against Alzheimer’s and dementia. To address this crisis, we need the collective efforts of our region’s brightest minds in healthcare, technology, and innovation.
This is a call-to-action for the South’s AI and AgeTech communities to come together, collaborate, and develop solutions that can improve the lives of those affected by these devastating diseases.
At the recent PennAITech event, we had the opportunity to showcase some of the latest AI, robotics, and technology innovations in aging and dementia care, such as the Paro companion care robot for older adults. These cutting-edge solutions demonstrate the tremendous potential of technology to enhance care, support caregivers, and improve quality of life for those living with dementia. However, to truly move the needle, we need more Southern innovators to join the fight.
If you are working on AI or AgeTech solutions to help older adults, we urge you to collaborate with the AITCs and seek grant funding from the NIH to accelerate your innovations. The a2 Collective, which includes collaboratories at Johns Hopkins, UMass Amherst, and Penn, offers access to invaluable resources, expertise, and support to help bring your ideas to fruition. By partnering with these institutions, you can tap into a national network of researchers, industry experts, and investors who are committed to advancing the field of AI and technology for healthy aging and dementia care.
Moreover, we need our region’s major universities, such as Duke and UNC Chapel Hill, to establish their own AITCs to drive innovation and attract research funding to the South. With the highest prevalence of Alzheimer’s and dementia in the nation, our region should be at the forefront of developing solutions and receiving the necessary resources to combat this crisis. By creating our own collaboratories, we can build a strong regional ecosystem that fosters collaboration, innovation, and progress in the fight against these diseases.
The time to act is now. As we commemorate Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, let us renew our commitment to ending the Alzheimer’s epidemic and improving the lives of those affected by dementia. Together, we can harness the power of AI, technology, and innovation to create a brighter future for our aging population and their families. Join us in this critical mission, and let’s put the South on the map as a leader in the fight against Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Editor’s Note: Neal K. Shah is the CEO of CareYaya Health Technologies, one of the fastest-growing health tech startups in America. He runs a social enterprise and applied research lab utilizing AI and human capital innovation to advance health equity through technology. Neal is a “Top Healthcare Voice” on LinkedIn with a 35k+ following, having led partnerships with top healthcare systems in America.