Alzheimer's Foundation of America
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Advisory Board Recommends More Actions for Revised National Alzheimer's Plan
 The Advisory Council an Alzheimer's Research, Care and Services, which is advising on the development and implementation of the "National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease," recently recommended additional action items for inclusion in the revised plan due out by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in April. During its meeting on February 3, the council voted on recommendations that include: designating a specific office in the White House to be responsible and accountable for effective implementation of the national plan; conducting an awareness campaign to focus on recognition and diagnosis of cognitive impairment, communicating with healthcare providers, and talking with family members about care preferences; increasing research on long-term services and supports that address dementia capability; and evaluating models and demonstration projects on dementia care delivery reform. "The recommendations set forth by the advisory council are critical to helping achieve the goals of the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease," said Charles J. Fuschillo, AFA's chief executive officer. "We urge the Department of Health & Human Services to carefully consider these recommendations and to include them in the 2014 plan update." The council's next meeting will take place at the end of April. |
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Private and Public Sectors Team Up to Develop New Therapies
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), announced The Accelerating Medicines Partnership (AMP), a collaboration of government, non-profit and pharma companies.
In its first five years, through the Foundation for the NIH (FNIH), the partnership will invest more than $230 million on research into Alzheimer's and other diseases, with a goal of targeting new drug therapies and identifying the biomarkers associated with the illnesses.
"Recent dramatic advances in basic research are opening new windows of opportunity for therapeutics," said NIH Director Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D. "But this challenge is beyond the scope of any one of us, and it's time to work together in new ways to increase our collective odds of success."
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Alzheimer's Disease on 'The Great White Way'
 A new musical comedy with an Alzheimer's-related theme, entitled, "My Mother Has Four Noses," will debut at the Duke Theater in Manhattan's theater district on February 20, and run through May 4.
In the musical, Jonatha Brooke, a writer and performer, chronicles her experiences as a caregiver during the last two years of her mother's life. Her mother had dementia.
On March 22, Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA's chief executive officer, will join Brooke for a Q&A and talk-back following the show's matinee performance; educational materials will be available. AFA member organizations can receive a 15% discount, and students, a 30% discount, using discount code MMH4NTIX3.
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News to Use
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National Institute on Aging Releases Alzheimer's Disease Progress Report - The National Institute on Aging, a branch of the National Institutes of Health, has released its "2012-2013 Alzheimer's Disease Progress Report," which chronicles developments in the "National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease," as well as research advances.
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to Host Dementia Care Improvement Call - CMS will host a call on February 26, from 2-3:30 p.m., EST, to discuss the critical role of state and federal healthcare facility inspectors (surveyors) in the implementation of the CMS National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care in Nursing Homes. CMS developed the partnership--made up of federal and state agencies, nursing homes, other providers, advocacy groups, and caregivers--to improve dementia care and further reduce the use of unnecessary antipsychotic medications and other potentially harmful medications in nursing homes. The call is intended for advocacy groups, nursing home providers, healthcare surveyors, prescribers, professional associations, and other interested stakeholders. To register, click here.
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Have Something to Say About Marital Satisfaction? - Meki Singleton, a senior at the University of South Florida, Tampa, is looking for participants to complete a survey for her undergraduate honors thesis. The thesis explores marital satisfaction in couples who are or have been caregivers for an older parent, parent-in-law or other relative with dementia or another serious medical condition. Singleton is working under Donna Cohen, Ph.D., a member of AFA's Medical and Scientific Advisory Board. Participants can complete the 30- to 45-minute survey by mail, email, or a phone interview. Interested participants can call 850-612-0438 or email mekiayla@mail.usf.edu.
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Last Chance to Register for Spring AFA Support Groups - There is still time to register for AFA's Spring support groups. The first, a Skype-based support group, is specifically geared toward teenagers who have a loved one with Alzheimer's disease or a related illness. The eight-week group will take place Tuesdays from 4-5 p.m. EST, February 18-April 8. The second is a telephone-based grief and transition support group for widows and widowers whose spouses had Alzheimer's disease or a related illness. This group begins February 24, and runs subsequent Mondays from 3-4 p.m. EST. For more information and to register, call 866-232-8484 or email info@alzfdn.org
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Webinar to Focus on Future of Brain Health - The National Council on Aging will host a webinar exploring a variety of topics related to cognitive fitness on February 20, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. EST. For more information or to register, click here.
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News Update
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Signs of Alzheimer's Disease May Be Visible Decades Before Symptoms if Both Parents Have the Disease -
People who are not exhibiting symptoms of dementia but whose both parents were affected by late-onset Alzheimer's disease may show signs of the disease on brain scans decades before symptoms appear, according to a new study. Among the 53 participants between the ages of 32 and 72, those whose parents both had Alzheimer's disease showed more severe abnormalities in brain volume and brain metabolism, and five to 10 percent had increased brain plaques in certain brain regions compared to groups of people that had only one parent with the disease or no family history. Read more...
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February 13, 2014
Volume 7 Issue 5
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 Rhythm Break Cares New York, N.Y. Rhythm Break Cares (RBC) and Furnish Green, a vintage furniture store in Manhattan, are teaming up for a vintage furniture drive. Beginning February 24, people can donate vintage furniture in need of minimal repairs, and the proceeds from the sales of the pieces will support RBC's "Dance with Dementia Programs." For more information or to donate furniture, send an email, including images of the pieces to be donated.
Calhoun High School
Merrick, N.Y.
We are pleased to welcome the newest chapter of AFA Teens to the AFA family. Calhoun High School, Merrick, N.Y., initiated its teens chapter on February 1.
As its kick-off event, the chapter sold long-stem chocolate roses for Valentine's Day. A tremendous success, the students sold out in just two days and raised more than $200 for AFA.
May 1: "For the Love of George" Cocktail Party & Concert
Nashville, Tenn.
Join AFA at Sambuca in Nashville, Tenn., for a night of awareness and tribute in honor of the millions of individuals with Alzheimer's disease, their families and caregivers. The event includes an open bar, hors d'oeuvres, a silent auction, and a performance by the band, Honor By August.
For information about sponsorships, call 866-232-8484 or click here. To purchase tickets, click here.
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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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