Alzheimer's Foundation of America
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Federal Leaders Mark National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month
President Obama issued a Presidential Proclamation to declare November as National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, noting, "We stand with everyone confronting the painful reality of an Alzheimer's diagnosis; lend our support to the families who care for them; and renew our commitment to delaying, preventing, and ultimately curing this disease."
In addition, Representatives Chaka Fattah (D-Pa.) and Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.) introduced a congressional resolution, H. Res. 396, which supports the goals of National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, including spreading awareness about Alzheimer's disease. AFA encourages stakeholders to contact their members of Congress to ask them to cosponsor this resolution.
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Free Conference/Webinar: Local Implementation of National Alzheimer's Plan
The Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) and the National Alliance for Caregiving will hold a free conference/webinar on December 3 on how to implement the caregiver provisions in the "National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease" at the state and local levels. Participants can attend in person in Washington or watch via a webcast, from 1-4 p.m. EST
"From Plan to Practice: Implementing NAPA in Your State" will bring together federal and state policy makers who have developed comprehensive plans to provide supports and services to individuals with Alzheimer's disease and their family caregivers. These experts will present best caregiver practices and strategies for delivering services in local communities. Click here to register.
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News to Use
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November is National Family Caregivers Month - In addition to being National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, November marks National Family Caregivers Month. Themed "Family Caregivers - Now More than Ever!" seeks to raise awareness for the nearly 90 million people caring for loved ones with disabilities or chronic conditions.
- Older Americans Act Moves to Senate Floor - The U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) last week advanced the Older Americans Act (OAA) Reauthorization Act of 2013 (S.1562) to the Senate floor. This legislation reauthorizes, for five years, federal programs that provide funding for nutrition and supportive home and community-based services, disease prevention/health promotion services, elder rights programs, and the National Family Caregiver Support Program.
- Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation Expands ACCESS Program - The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) this week introduced its newly-expanded ADDF ACCESS program to provide scientists and small biotechnology companies with access to a virtual network of drug discovery experts and contract research organizations (CROs) that have experience developing therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.
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CMS Teleconference: The National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care in Nursing Homes - The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on November 25, from 2-3 p.m. EST, will host a teleconference to provide a brief overview of progress on its national partnership to improve quality of care for nursing home residents with dementia, and discuss CMS' "Hand in Hand" training series. A question and answer session to follow.
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Respite Care Grants -There is still time for AFA nonprofit member organizations to submit applications for the fall cycle of the Phyllis and Milton Berg Family Respite Care Grant, which provides organizations with monies to award scholarships to families with financial need. The deadline is December 1.
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News Update
- Speaking a Second Language May Delay Dementia - New research shows that speaking a second language may delay the onset of three types of dementia: frontotemporal dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, and mixed dementia. The study evaluated 648 people from India, whose average age is 66. Of those, 391 spoke two or more languages. The study found that people who spoke two languages developed dementia four and a half years later than people who only spoke one language. Read more...
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November 7, 2013
Volume 6 Issue 22
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 Together for Care: Profiles in Caregiving Reception and Concert
On November 14, AFA will honor Bert E. Brodsky, AFA's founding chairman, whose mother had Alzheimer's disease, at a concert and reception at Guastavino's in New York. Tony Lucca, a finalist from the second season of "The Voice," and musician Jesse Ruben will perform. For tickets and information, call 866-232-8484 or email.
AFA's National Commemorative Candle Lighting Weekend of Prayer will take place November 15-17. This annual event offers an opportunity to remember and honor Americans who have been or will be affected by Alzheimer's disease or related illnesses. To find a local candle lighting ceremony, click here.
AFA's National Memory Screening Day
On November 19, organizations across the country will offer free, confidential memory screenings-administered by qualified healthcare professionals.
To find a site, click here.
 Alzheimer's Family Services Center Huntington Beach, Calif.
Alzheimer's Family Services Center, Huntington Beach, Calif., recently introduced a new all-female ambassador group: "Women of One Mind."
The goal of this new group is to build awareness of the challenges related to Alzheimer's disease and to bring attention to the resources and support available to female caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease. 
Laura Smith
Springboro, Pa.
For her senior project, Laura Smith, 17, of Springboro, Pa., chose to raise awareness of Alzheimer's disease. The teen, whose late grandmother had Alzheimer's disease, created Laura's "Race to Remember." She charged a registration fee and recruited local businesses as sponsors of the 5K run.
In addition, Smith developed pamphlets and posters with educational information about Alzheimer's disease and t-shirts for people who pre-registered for the event. Her efforts resulted in a donation to AFA of more than $1,200.
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The Legacy SocietyAFA's Legacy Society offers special recognition to individuals who have included AFA in their wills or estate plans.
Support AFA Monthly
Donors can now make recurring monthly donations to AFA, which will be automatically deducted from your credit card each month. You may cancel at any time.
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