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FAIR Health Unveils AI-Powered Platform to Guide Alzheimer's Patients and Caregivers on Care Options and Costs

• By John K. Waters
• 02/18/2025

FAIR Health, an independent nonprofit that collects data for and manages one of the nation's largest databases of privately billed health insurance claims, has launched a shared decision-making tool for Alzheimer's disease that features clinical information for self-care and drug therapy options, as well as related cost information. 

The free tool was designed to provide older adults and their families with guidance on treatment options and costs. Developed as part of a national initiative funded by The John A. Hartford Foundation, the tool also helps users evaluate self-care strategies, drug therapies and financial planning resources.

Accompanied by supplementary resources, including the FH Total Treatment Cost tool, printable checklists, and caregiver support links, the platform offers a comprehensive approach to Alzheimer’s care planning. The self-care guidance covers practical strategies including healthy diet planning, physical exercise routines, brain-stimulating activities and medication review processes. "Older adults living with Alzheimer’s disease have diverse needs and require comprehensive, age-friendly care and services," Rani E. Snyder, Vice President, Program, at The John A. Hartford Foundation, said in a statement. "FAIR Health’s new shared decision-making tool and related resources will help older patients and their family caregivers learn more about their care options and be empowered to plan for and manage costs."

Available through fairhealtholderadults.org, FAIR Health aims to engage 40,000 website users and reach 10 million people with these tools. To encourage users, the tool provides bilingual support in English and Spanish and includes checklists to assist with healthcare provider discussions, medication management and monitoring cognitive changes. The platform aligns with the established 4Ms framework of age-friendly care – what matters to patients, medication management, mind health, and mobility support.

Clinicians at four "Age-Friendly Health Systems" — the University of Pennsylvania, Ohio State University, the University of Rochester Medical Center, and Emory University — are actively integrating the tool into patient consultations, expanding its reach in clinical settings. A caregiver, for example, can use the checklists to track cognitive changes in a loved one, prepare questions for a doctor’s visit and estimate care costs for different treatment approaches.