CMS Unveils Revisions to Nursing Home Rating System
Use of Antipsychotic Drugs Now Included in Calculation
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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has revised its " Five Star Quality Rating System" for nursing homes. Among the significant changes, the use of antipsychotic drugs will now be included in the calculation of the ratings.
In fact, two new quality measures were developed for antipsychotics, which are often used for conditions that don't warrant them, such as treating agitation in people with dementia. One measure is for short-stay residents and the other is for long-stay residents.
CMS' star rating system gives families a way to evaluate nursing home quality. Nursing homes are rated on three categories: results from onsite inspections by trained surveyors, performance on certain quality measures, and levels of staffing.
AFA has been working with CMS, Congress and other policymakers to ensure people with Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses are not treated with inappropriate or harmful medications. AFA also supports the goals in the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's disease to lower inappropriate use of antipsychotics and, through CMS' Partnership in Dementia, share best practices and strategies in behavioral therapies as an alternative to relying on antipsychotics.
To learn about other revisions to CMS' nursing home rating system, click here.
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FDA Commissioner Steps Down
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Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner, Margaret A. Hamburg, will resign her post at the end of March after serving in the position for nearly six years. There is speculation that acting commissioner, Robert Califf, may be appointed commissioner.
This is a critical time for FDA. Congress is currently developing legislation that, if passed, would reform the FDA approval process, impacting how drugs for conditions like Alzheimer's disease are developed, tested and brought to market.
AFA is working with Congress to ensure the active inclusion of persons with chronic disease, including those living with dementia and their family caregivers, at all points in the FDA drug decision-making process. AFA will continue to update you as this legislation is introduced and debated in Congress.
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News to Use
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AFA Upgrades National Toll-Free Helpline
AFA recently rolled out the first in a series of upgrades to its national toll-free helpline (866-232-8484). Staffed by licensed social workers, the helpline now boasts expanded hours--9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Additionally, assistance is available in both English and Spanish. AFA's national toll-free helpline has provided counsel, comfort and support to tens of thousands of people. The Foundation plans to further enhance the helpline later in the year. AFA's licensed social workers are also available via Skype (Alzheimers_Foundation), e-mail and chat.
Save the Date: Concepts In Care Conference
 AFA's annual Concepts in Care Educational Conference will take place Friday, May 15, at the New York Hilton. The conference is free to attend and will feature presentations from caregiving experts. On-site respite care for people with Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses will also be provided. For more information, please contact Josie DiChiara at 866-232-8484 or by e-mail.
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News Updates
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Prevention Research Study Highlighted in Series of News Articles
Recently, "The Arizona Republic" featured a series of articles that showcased families, researchers and issues involved in study currently taking place in Colombia. The Alzheimer's Prevention Initiative's Autosomal Dominant Alzheimer's Disease (ADAD) trial is investigating whether an experimental drug can halt Alzheimer's disease if caught early enough. Read more.
Molecule May Delay Onset of Alzheimer's Disease
New research in mice suggests that Brichos, a molecule that bonds with amyloid, and prevents the protein from forming into the clumps and tangles characteristic of Alzheimer's disease, could delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease. This discovery could help scientists identify molecules that perform similarly to Brichos for future development of drug therapies. Read more.
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Member Spotlight
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Montessori International School of the Plains
Omaha, Neb.
The Montessori International School of the Plains serves grades seven to 12. Rooted in the principle that not all students learn the same way, the school offers hands-on learning programs to help students grow both intellectually and personally.
Each Friday, approximately half of the school's 31 students head to Hillcrest Mabel Rose, an assisted living and memory care center in nearby Bellevue. Students apply Montessori methods to interactions with residents who have Alzheimer's disease, through puzzles, music and other activities that spark conversation and participation.
The Montessori Method is becoming increasingly popular in dementia care as evidence has shown that it can help reduce anxiety by engaging people in activities they enjoy.
"It's been a wonderful experience both for the students and the residents," said Ruth Kruse, one of the school's board members. "The students learn patience, how to listen and new ways of approaching situations, while the residents benefit from the activities and the feeling that they are doing something. It's a win-win on both sides."
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Fundraiser Spotlight
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Michelle Canning
Andover, Mass.
On March 21, Michelle Canning and Rough Edges, a bluegrass band from Andover, Mass., will host its fourth annual "A Night on the Edge!" concert to raise money for AFA. Canning holds the concert each year as a tribute to her grandfather, Ken Canning, Sr., who had Alzheimer's disease and passed away at the age of 82.
The concert will be held at the Chelmsford Elks Hall, 300 Littleton Road, in Chelmsford, Mass., at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $12 for adults and $6 for children 12 and under. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here. This benefit also will be live-streamed online, so people unable to attend can tune in from the comfort of their own homes, while still making a valuable contribution to the fight against Alzheimer's disease.
The band's previous fundraisers have resulted in donations of more than $8,000 to AFA.
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