Senator Susan Collins to Deliver Opening Remarks at AFA Concepts in Care Conference
Rep. Kathleen Rice to Deliver Lunchtime Keynote
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We are thrilled to announce the participation of two members of the United States Congress in the Alzheimer's Foundation of America's October 1 Concepts in Care conference in Washington, D.C. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) will deliver opening remarks and Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-N.Y.) is the lunchtime keynote speaker.
The conference--which is free to attend--will also feature free, confidential memory screenings, an exhibit hall and information on AFA's many programs and services.
Attendees will hear from a variety of experts on topics such as the role of spirituality in caregiving, early-onset Alzheimer's disease, palliative care, and preventing wandering, as well as hear personal stories from caregivers of all ages. The conference runs from 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at: The Frederick Douglass Museum & Caring Hall of Fame 320 A Street, NE Washington, D.C. 20002
There are a few a still slots open. To register, click here.
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Legislation Introduced to Spur Innovation in Alzheimer's Research
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AFA's Eric Sokol delivers remarks at EUREKA Act press conference.
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Earlier this week, Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) introduced legislation that will reward researchers who meet certain milestones in Alzheimer's disease research and drug development with cash prizes, in an effort to help spur innovation and accelerate discovery of a cure or disease-modifying treatment by 2025. The Ensuring Useful Research Expenditures is Key for Alzheimer's (EUREKA) Act (S. 2067), would authorize the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to establish these prize competitions in a number of areas, including:
- Identification and validation of Alzheimer's biomarkers;
- Development of non-invasive and cost-effective early detection and diagnostic tools;
- Repurposing of existing drugs to address Alzheimer's disease; and
- Development of new tools and approaches to care for persons with Alzheimer's disease.
An advisory council made up of experts in organizing and managing such competitions, patient advocates and industry representatives will designate the competitions. A separate judging panel will evaluate the submissions and recommend winners to the director of the NIH.
Eric Sokol, AFA's vice president, public policy, attended the press conference and delivered remarks demonstrating AFA's support of this important legislation. AFA urges Alzheimer's disease stakeholders to contact their Senators and urge them to cosponsor S. 2067.
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Two New Support groups for Spanish-Speaking Caregivers
 This October, Spanish speaking caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease will have two new outlets for support.
Beginning October 5, AFA and the Mount Sinai Alzheimer's Disease Research Center will host a free support group, entitled "Self Care and Stress Management for Alzheimer's Family Caregivers," at Settlement Health in New York City. The group will meet the first and third Monday of each month at 11 a.m. It will be co-facilitated by AFA's Bessy Mendoza, L.M.S.W., and Mari Umpierre, Ph.D., L.C.S.W. For more information, contact Bessy at 866-232-8484 or Mari at 212-659-8872.
In addition, on October 7, AFA will kick off a new support group for Spanish-speaking family caregivers. "Cuidado de Familia - Salud Cerebral" is a free, telephone-based support group for caregivers who have questions or concerns about a loved one's brain health. The group will meet Wednesdays from 3-4 p.m. EDT for four weeks and is facilitated by one of AFA's licensed social workers. Pre-registration is required. For more information, contact Bessy Mendoza at 866-232-8484 or by e-mail.
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Member Spotlight
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Charlotte County Sheriff's Office
Punta Gorda, Fla.
Last week, AFA awarded a $5,000 grant to the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office in Punta Gorda, Fla. The group will use the grant to expand its Project Lifesaver program, which . The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office has been a Project Lifesaver member since 2009.
Tammy Wilkie, community affairs specialist at the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, leads the program there. She is constantly out in the community educating people about the program, and giving weekly speeches at schools and other local organizations.
"We provide people peace of mind and assistance," she said.
Currently, there are 14 people enrolled in the program. According to Wilkie, approximately 8,000 people in Charlotte County have Alzheimer's disease. The group will use the grant money to purchase more tracking wristbands so that they can help more families with loved ones who are at risk of wandering.
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| | Chief Gene Saunders, PLI, Chuck Fuschillo, AFA, Tammy Wilkie, Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, and Josie DiChiara, AFA. |
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Did You Know?
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November 1-7 is National Memory Screening Week
If you have concerns about your or a loved one's memory, AFA will once again be offering free, confidential memory screenings at sites across the country.
This year, because of increased demand, we have expanded National Memory Screening Day to a whole week -- November 1-7.
Click here to find a screening site near you. To register as a screening site, contact Allisyn Vachon at 866-232-8484 or by e-mail.
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