AFA
Sign-Up
December 5, 2014
Congressional Alzheimer's Disease Task Force Chairs Call For FY'15 Budget Increases 

Congressional Alzheimer's Disease Task Force Chairs Call For FY'15 Budget Increases 

Request An Additional $100 Million in Spending for Alzheimer's Care and Services

Chairs of both the House and Senate Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease wrote letters to the leadership of the Congressional appropriations committee urging an increase in spending for Alzheimer's disease and care services in the fiscal year 2015 budget.  


Reps. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) and Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) requested the House Appropriations Committee chairs add an additional $100 million for Alzheimer's disease to "further the resolve behind our national priority of eradicating this insidious brain disorder." 


 

Similarly, in their letter, Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) called on the Senate Appropriations Committee to approve a $100 million increase for Alzheimer's disease "that will move us closer to the level of annual public research funding leading Alzheimer's disease researchers have estimated is needed" to find a cure or effective treatment by 2025.


 

While negotiations are still ongoing, it appears that the 113th Congress could adjourn later this month without finalizing a budget for fiscal year 2015, which started October 1, 2014. If Congress cannot come to an agreement, they will most likely pass a continuing resolution that will fund the government, at mostly current levels, until after the new Congress returns in January.

 

In the interim, AFA will continue to work with policymakers to ensure that the $100 million in increase spending for Alzheimer's disease, which was approved by a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee, be included in the final FY'15 budget package. 

AFA Awards $150,000+ in Grants
Funds Will Support Respite, Recreational Therapy and Other Programs

AFA has just announced the awarding of more than $150,000 in grants to its member organizations. Thirty groups received funding to enhance existing or introduce new programs, including adult day services, music and art therapies, caregiver support, and even a dementia-friendly communities initiative.

"We are so proud to be able to help these member organizations continue to provide valuable programming to their communities," said Chuck Fuschillo, AFA's president and CEO. "It is through such programs that we are able to help make a difference in quality of life for people with Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses and their families."

Among the organizations that received grants are:
  • The Sno-Valley Senior Center and Adult Day Health Program, Carnation, Wash.--The Center offers the only adult day programs in a 20-mile radius and other care options are extremely limited in this rural community. Participants enjoy socialization, physical and cognitive exercise, nutritious meals made on-site, personal care, health management with licensed nurses, and occupational therapy. 
  • Alzheimer's & Dementia Alliance of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis.--This group will use the grant to expand its successful Dementia Friendly Communities (DFC) pilot into the city of Fitchburg in Dane County and Janesville in Rock county
  • Senior Access, San Rafael, Calif.--Funds will be used to pilot an art program called "Sharing the Journey." The program will engage family and professional caregivers by training them in using art as a communication tool.These caregivers will then use their new skills to engage with Senior Access' clients on an art project.
Additional details will be available in the coming weeks on AFA's website.
News Updates
New Study Shows Most People with Dementia Have Never Had a Screening

According to a new study, the majority of people with dementia have never seen a doctor about memory and thinking problems. 

 

In the study, 845 people age 70 and older were evaluated for dementia. For each participant, a spouse, child or other person who knew the person well was asked whether the participant had ever seen a doctor for any concerns about memory or thinking. 

 

A total of 297 of the participants met the criteria for dementia. Of those, just 45 percent had seen a doctor about their memory problems, compared to 5 percent of those with memory and thinking problems who did not meet the criteria for dementia, and 1 percent of those with normal memory and thinking skills.

 

Programs such as AFA C.A.R.E.S. and AFA's National Memory Screening Day emphasize the importance of cognitive screening and early detection memory problems. 

 

Read more
Board Of Trustees Spotlight -- Gerald (Jerry) Angowitz

This week, AFA is pleased to introduce a new feature to our e-newsletter. In the coming issues, we'll be introducing you to the members of our Board of Trustees--the individuals who guide and counsel our executive team and help ensure our efforts are successful.

First up is Gerald (Jerry) Angowitz. He brings to AFA many years' experience counseling companies on executive level matters, general business management and human resources. He currently serves as managing director at Lloyd Staffing.

Angowitz has served on AFA's board for a number of years. He was drawn to the post, in part, because of his personal experience with Alzheimer's disease. His mother, uncle, maternal grandfather, and great aunt all had Alzheimer's disease. He, his sister and brother were caregivers to their mom during the last 10 years of her life. 

"When our mom was diagnosed, we collectively had this feeling of 'now what?'" Angowitz recalls. "Where do we go; who do we talk to?" 

The trio connected with a social worker who proved invaluable to their caregiving journey. 

"I've served on a number of boards and am terribly impressed with the quality of commitment of AFA's board members and staff," said Angowitz. "It's not a business, it's an occupation of passion and love and it radiates throughout the organization."

Angowitz was recently elected to another three-year seat on AFA's Board of Trustees, effective January 1, 2015.
Donate
Inspire
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
YouTube
Alzheimer's Foundation of America | Phone: 866-232-8484 | Fax: 212-991-6715 | [email protected]| www.alzfdn.org

Copyright � 2014. All Rights Reserved.