URI launches cognitive care program

CRANSTON, R.I. (WPRI) - The University of Rhode Island is launching a new program aimed at improving care for adults with cognitive disabilities and Alzheimer's Disease.

Several state leaders were on-hand for Monday's announcement at AccessPointRI in Cranston, one of four agencies across the state where the program is expected to be implemented.

URI was awarded a $14 million federal grant to implement a new approach to cognitive care aimed at helping people with cognitive diseases better manage their own chronic conditions and streamlining care to cut down on costly emergency room visits and hospitalizations.

"You'll be able to treat them in hopefully a facility like this and through telemedicine instead of having to take somebody to the emergency room," explained associate research professor Elaina Goldstein, who led the effort to secure the grant.

The program is expected to save the state and federal governments a combined $15 million in health care costs.

It is also expected to create 31 new health care-related jobs for people with disabilities.

"This is economic development and job creation as well as being research and health care delivery advances," said URI President David Dooley.

URI's proposal was selected from more than three thousand applications.  The university is one of only three across New England to receive innovation grants.