Enhancing Resource Allocation for Alzheimer's Diagnostic Process in North Dakota: An Application of the Maximal Coverage Location Problem

Alzheimer's disease is a brain disorder that leads to the shrinkage of the brain and eventual death of brain cells. Memory loss is a key symptom, often first appearing after the age of 60. However, the chances of developing Alzheimer's increase significantly after the age of 65. Currently, about 6.5 million people in the U.S. live with this disease, and in North Dakota (ND), the number of deaths has increased by 90% in the past 20 years. Recent studies indicate that an early diagnosis can significantly improve the quality of life for patients. This paper aims to assist decision-makers in maximizing the quality of life for Alzheimer's patients. To achieve this, a maximal covering location problem is employed to maximize the diagnosis of Alzheimer's within the population of North Dakota constrained to limited resources. Different scenarios are analyzed and compared. Results for each scenario are presented.