Federal Officials Release Updated National Alzheimer's Plan

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services last week released the "The National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease: 2013 Update," which outlines the status of various projects resulting from its initial plan as well suggests new recommendations.

Several new action steps mirror recommendations made by AFA in its "Time to Build" report, including developing and disseminating a unified primary care Alzheimer's disease curriculum; enhancing understanding of avoidable hospitalizations among people with Alzheimer's disease; and protecting this vulnerable population from abuse and neglect.

Other noteworthy recommendations are issuing guidance on early-stage drug therapies; reviewing and identifying new, quality measures for care, including timeliness and accuracy of diagnostic evaluation, and patient-centered outcomes; and increasing education and outreach about respite services to family caregivers.

"Progress toward preventing and effectively treating Alzheimer's disease by 2025 and bolstering clinical care and long-term care heavily depends on a significant monetary commitment," said Carol Steinberg, AFA's president.  "Only if Congress rallies for abundant resources can we turn the tide before it is too late for current and future generations of Americans."

A new, sobering statistic released this week underscores the need for improved workplace leave policies for caregivers. According to a new report from AARP, about one in five employees between ages 45 and 74 have taken time off in the past five years or expect to do so in the next five years, and one in four employees retired early to care for a spouse, parent or other relative.

The report also found that some 60 million Americans are not covered by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and only 12 percent of working Americans have access to paid family leave benefits. It provides recommendations for strengthening such policies.

• New Transportation Resources for Florida Seniors - The University of Florida's Institute for Mobility, Activity and Participation has developed the Florida Senior Safety Resource Center (FSSRC), a database containing affordable alternative transportation options for seniors and persons with disabilities.

• Free New York City Screening of the Genius of Marian - The Genius of Marian, a film about the heartbreak of Alzheimer's disease, the power of art and the meaning of family that made its debut at the Tribeca Film Festival heads back to the Big Apple June 25. The free outdoor screening is part of the Rooftop Films Summer Series, and will take place at the Dag Hammarskjold Plaza at the corner of 2nd Ave. and E. 47th St. at 8 p.m.     

• AFA's Care Crossroads Web Site Takes Home 'Silver' in Web Health Awards - AFA's online community of care, Care Crossroads, won silver in the 2013 Winter/Spring Web Health Awards as one of the best digital health resources in the country.  Last year, Care Crossroads was named a winner in the 2012 National Mature Media Awards.