GAO Report Finds Great Need For OAA Programs
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The General Accountability Office (GAO) released a report, "Older Americans Act (OAA): Updated Information on Unmet Need for Services," which found that many older adults may need--but do not receive--meals and home-based care services, like those provided under the OAA. This is due, in part, to the fact that the funding level of OAA services has not kept up with need.
Specifically, the report found:
- Many older adults with low incomes who likely need meals do not receive them;
- Approximately two-thirds of people, age 60 and older who have difficulties with daily activities receive limited or no home-based care, though some improvements have been seen since the data was last reviewed in 2008; and
- About one in five people, age 65 and older, need transportation services.
AFA has long supported reauthorization of the OAA, which provides supports to people living with Alzheimer's disease and their family caregivers. OAA programs like Meals on Wheels, grants for adult day services and caregiver training are vital and necessary to allow individuals with dementia to remain in the home as long possible.
A copy of the GAO report can be found here.
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AFA Members: There Are Still Slots Left for the June 22 Webinar
Meeting Will Highlight Programs and Services Updates, Grant Opportunities and More
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On June 22, the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) will host two 30-minute webinars for its member organizations. The webinars will be held at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. EDT and will include a welcome and overview from AFA president and CEO, Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., as well as updates on our National Memory Screening Program, Dementia Care Professionals of America training tools, fundraising and grant opportunities and more.
To register, contact Cynthia Blayer by e-mail or at 866-232-8484 x111 and be sure to specify whether you wish to attend the 11 a.m. or 3 p.m. session.
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Falls Prevention Program Found To Lower Serious Injury While Saving Resources
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 A falls prevention program developed by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and which utilizes clinical in-home assessments of health, physical functioning, falls history, home environment and medications to create customized recommendations, was found to significantly lower rates of falls over a one-year study period.
Specifically, people who received the intervention had a 13 percent lower rate of falls, and an 11 percent reduction in risk of falling compared to the control group. Participants also had a significantly lower rate of injurious falls resulting in a drop of 33 percent in long-term care insurance claims over a three-year period. The intervention, which cost $500 per person to administer, saved $838 per person.
HHS plans to conduct additional studies focusing on the impact of this intervention on health care utilization and expects to see similar or greater return on investment in terms of health care costs. An abstract of the study can be found here.
AFA has supported efforts to fund falls prevention programs at the federal and local levels. Falls prevention programs received an increase in resources, with over $5 million invested in the last two budget cycles. |
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Reminder: Support Group for New Caregivers of Individuals with Alzheimer's Disease
 On July 8, the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) will kick off a new, telephone-based support group designed for people whose loved ones have recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or a related illness. "A Beginner's Guide to Caregiving" will offer an opportunity for individuals to express their feelings, seek support and learn from others, while gaining practical tips and knowledge of resources.
The six-week session will take place July 8-August 5, 2015, from 3:00-4:00 p.m. (EDT). Space is limited and participants must register. For more information or to register, click here or call 866-232-8484.
Memory Screening Mondays at AFA
Beginning July 20, AFA will host free, confidential memory screenings at its New York City headquarters every Monday, from 11 a.m.-noon EDT. Screenings will be administered by one of AFA's licensed social workers. Spanish language screenings will also be available. For more information, please contact Allisyn Vachon, AFA's national programs manager, at 866-232-8484 or by e-mail.
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From all of us at AFA,
a very Happy Father's Day!
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Did You Know?
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Did you know there are specialized camps for the younger generation of family caregivers?
Programs like Time for Us and Camp Treasure offer the activities of many sleep away camps, but with the added benefit of caregiver education and support.
Read more here.
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Fundraiser Spotlight
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Last-Minute Gifts for Dad? Shop AmazonSmile!
Make AmazonSmile your one-stop shop for Father's Day and you'll be giving Dad a gift that gives back.
AmazonSmile offers the same products and service as Amazon.com. Here's how it works:
- Visit www.smile.amazon.com
- Click "Select a Charity"
- Search for Alzheimer's Foundation of America and click to select AFA as the cause.
Amazon will donate 0.5 percent of the purchase price to AFA and your dad will get a gift he loves.
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