2015 Federal Budget Increases Alzheimer's Disease Research Funding
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The 113th Congress wrapped up its final session by approving a $1.1 trillion federal budget that increases funding for Alzheimer's disease research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by $25 million in fiscal year (FY) 2015. The budget, which the President signed into law, puts overall funding for Alzheimer's disease research at NIH slightly more than $500 million in this fiscal year. Support for Alzheimer's disease caregiver support programs, provided by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) remained mostly flat.
While the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) is grateful for any increase in funding, Alzheimer's disease advocates had been hoping for more. To confront growing incidences and costs associated with dementia, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education had approved a $100 million increase for Alzheimer's disease. Budget negotiators, however, took a less generous stance to reach a final budget package.
AFA is already working with the Obama Administration on the FY'16 budget. We have communicated with policy officials at both the White House and Office of Management and Budget that an additional $500 million for Alzheimer's disease is needed in FY'16, with a commitment to ramp up overall funding to $2 billion by the end of the decade. The President is expected to unveil his FY'16 budget in the spring.
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High School Students Seeking Family Caregivers for Survey Participation
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Research Will Examine Effects of Caregiving on Caregiver Health
Two students from Yorktown (N.Y.) High School's Science Research Program contacted AFA to recruit family caregivers for a survey they're conducting. The survey aims to discover how caregiving duties affect the caregiver's health. The survey, which takes about 20 minutes to complete, is available here. Please feel free to share with family caregivers who may be interested.
The science research program is designed to provide students a chance to pursue scientific research at a college graduate level for 3 years. The program is open to students in grades 10-12.
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News to Use
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Hospital Offers Prevention Clinic for Young People at High Risk for Alzheimer's Disease
Earlier this week, NBC Nightly News aired a story on a unique prevention clinic for young people at high risk for Alzheimer's disease. Among the tactics highlighted: exercise, diet modification and other activities that challenge the brain, such as playing a musical instrument. Watch the story here.
AFA Awards Research Grant to Winthrop University Hospital
 Last week, AFA awarded a research grant to Winthrop University Hospital for its project entitled, "Platelet Rich Plasma in The Study of Alzheimer's Pathophysiology." AFA's board chairman, Bert Brodsky, president and CEO, Charles Fuschillo and Senior Vice President-External Relations, Josie DiChiara presented the team with a check to kick off the project.
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News Updates
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New Study Underscores Possible Link Between Poor Sleep and Dementia
New research suggests that people who have sleep apnea or spend less time in deep sleep may be more likely to experience the type of changes in the brain that are associated with dementia. The study found that people who don't have as much oxygen in their blood during sleep, which occurs with sleep apnea and conditions such as emphysema, are more likely to have tiny abnormalities in brain tissue, than people with higher levels of oxygen in the blood. These abnormalities are associated with the development of dementia. Previous studies have also shown a link between sleep stages and dementia. Read more... Can Exercise Stave Off Alzheimer's Disease?  People who indicated that they exercised five times a week in late middle age performed better on cognitive tests and had less accumulation of beta amyloid plaque than their inactive counterparts, according to a recent study. Active people performed better on immediate memory and visual spatial tests, and had less amyloid plaque, better brain glucose metabolism, and higher hippocampus volume compared to inactive people.
Read more...
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Fundraiser Spotlight
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EHIM, Inc.
Southfield, Mich.
EHIM, Inc., a nationally recognized Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) located in Southfield , Mich., recently held a "Plinko For Charity" game, during the 34th Annual SIIA National Education Conference, to raise money for several charities including AFA. "Plinko" was popularized by a long-running television game show.
The conference focuses exclusively on the self-insurance/alternative risk transfer marketplace and attracts some 1,700 attendees from around the United States and from a growing number of countries around the world.
EHIM gave attendees the opportunity to play the game and have their winnings of donated by EHIM to selected charities.
Charities were chosen by EHIM employees who voted for organizations most meaningful to them. AFA was selected by an overwhelming number of employees to be included as one of the benefiting charities.
"The Alzheimer's Foundation of America is an incredible organization that provides much needed care and support services to individuals suffering from dementia as well as to their family members and caregivers," said Mindi Fynke, EHIM President & CEO. "Dementia affects many people, not just those diagnosed with the disease, and EHIM is proud to be able to support an organization that is dedicated to providing resources, programs, and excellence in treatment to those affected by it. EHIM looks forward to future opportunities where it can partner and support AFA."
EHIM raised $1,000 for AFA through this initiative.
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Give A Year-End Gift to AFA
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As the year draws to a close, it's a great time to consider a donation to AFA.
Donations help fund our toll-free helpline, which offers resources and referrals to individuals with Alzheimer's disease, as well as family and professional caregivers.
Donations also help fund respite care grants, grants for member organizations that provide direct care and support, educational conferences, national initiatives such as National Memory Screening Day, professional education and training, and our teen and college campus programs.
In addition, through strategic partnerships, AFA funds research for medical treatment and a cure.
In 2013, AFA expended 85 percent of expenses on program services to help individuals with Alzheimer's disease and their families; the remaining 15 percent supported general, administrative and fundraising expenses.
Click here to learn more about the types of donations.
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