Smith Alzheimer’s Center adds community health worker
Navigating the health care system can be like finding your way through a maze. Even when you know what you need, finding the right resources isn’t always straightforward. Stress, time constraints and caregiving responsibilities can make one more task feel overwhelming.
To help ease that burden, the Smith Alzheimer’s Center has added Nicol Moore, a community health worker (CHW), to its team. CHWs serve as a bridge between patients and their caregivers and health care services. They work closely with individuals and families to identify needs, connect them with resources and provide ongoing support.
“I’m going to take the stress off of you,” Moore said. “I’m here to help find resources you need, connect you to them and make sure your needs are being met.”
Moore joins the Smith Alzheimer’s Center team after more than four years of experience as a CHW at SIU Medicine.
Heightened stress is an acute problem for those caring for loved ones with memory loss. To help manage all of the changes, many caregivers cut back from work or retire early. More than 38% of caregivers report physical stress and 59% report emotional stress, according to the 2025 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures. Having a CHW as a partner to help manage resource connection allows caregivers to get the help they need while alleviating stress.
CHWs offer a variety of services, including:
- Sharing easy-to-understand health information
- Offering informal counseling, education and social support
- Helping individuals and families build skills and knowledge
- Assisting with access to needed services and resources
The addition of Moore strengthens the Smith Alzheimer’s Center wrap-around, in-person services, including:
- Experienced and expert clinical care
- Caregiver and family counseling
- Clinical trials and research
- Outreach programs specifically designed for those with memory loss
- Education for caregivers and the community
Those services, combined with the translational research and education for health care professionals, are all part of the Smith Alzheimer’s Center’s mission of integrating patient care, education and research to design personalized care for patients.
