Sen. Collins Rallies AFA Concepts in Care Conference Attendees to Advocate for People with Alzheimer's Disease
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Sen. Susan Collins (l) with AFA's president and CEO, Chuck Fuschillo
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In a speech before attendees of the Alzheimer's Foundation of America's (AFA's) Concepts in Care Conference held last week in Washington, D.C., Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) told attendees that Congress is beginning to understand the depth and cost of the ongoing Alzheimer's crisis.
Sen. Collins, who chairs the Special Committee on Aging, has held hearings that have shone a spotlight of the impact dementia on American families while advocating for more federal funding to find a cure. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, she played a major role in ensuring that the Fiscal Year 2016 (FY'16) budget contained the largest increase in Alzheimer's "disease funding in our history."
In addition, Sen. Collins discussed the challenges and hardships faced by millions of families, like her own, who have cared for a loved one with this heart wrenching brain disorder. To that end, she introduced S.1979, the Recognize, Assist, Include, and Engage (RAISE) Act which calls for creating an integrated national strategy to recognize and support family caregivers.
In closing, Sen. Collins urged conference participants to continue to lobby Members of Congress on the issue and put a "human face" on Alzheimer's disease. As she noted, "only by working together can we achieve great things."
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Get Ready for November, National Alzheimer's Awareness Month
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 November is National Alzheimer's Awareness Month and as in previous years, AFA, has a host of activities dedicated to raising awareness of memory issues and brain health.
First up, National Memory Screening Day has been expanded into a full week-November 1-7. Throughout this week, people can take advantage of free, confidential memory screenings at sites nationwide. Then, on November 5, as daylight fades to dusk, more than two dozen landmarks will be turning teal in support of Alzheimer's awareness. AFA's Light the Nation campaign, which kicked off with eight U.S. landmarks in 2014, has nearly quadrupled its participation this year. Sites from the Empire State Building to Los Angeles International Airport, in the U.S., and from the Sichuan Tower in China to the fountains in London's Trafalgar Square have signed on to light up in support of the campaign. And finally, a good laugh can be one of the best releases for caregivers. AFA is teaming up with comedian Sebastian Maniscalco to host "For the Love of Joseph DiSanto," a comedy benefit in honor of Maniscalco's grandfather, who died from Alzheimer's disease. Click here for more information or to purchase tickets.
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News to Use:
Volunteers Sought for Clinical Trials
The Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center, a service of the National Institute on Aging (NIA) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recently posted more than half a dozen new clinical trials spanning a variety of therapies from drugs, diet and exercise to caregiver-focused studies and beyond. Click here for more information or to find a trial.
New Support Group for Long-Distance Caregivers
On November 3, AFA will kick off a new telephone-based support group designed specifically for long-distance caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses. The four-week group will meet Tuesdays, from 3-4 p.m. ET. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. For more information contact Heather Saposnick, one of AFA's licensed social workers and facilitator of this group at 866-232-8484 or by e-mail.
Educational Workshop: Untangling the Web--Aging and Dementia
On December 3, AFA and LiveOn NY will host a half-day educational workshop in New York City. The event will provide info on the aging process, brain health and wellness while giving attendees an opportunity to build and practice skills to best care for the aging community. Click here for more information or to register.
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Fundraiser Spotlight
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Giving Tuesday
This year, Giving Tuesday falls on December 1. Giving Tuesday is an oasis in the hectic holiday season. In sharp contrast to the wheeling and dealing of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, it is a time to pause, reflect and give back.
As you're considering your Giving Tuesday participation, we ask that you keep AFA in mind. Even the smallest contribution can help fund much-needed programs and services for people with Alzheimer's disease and their family caregivers. And, because AFA has received Charity Navigator's four-star rating, you can be confident that your donation will be put to good use. We'll be sharing updates on our Giving Tuesday activities in future newsletters, as well as on Facebook and Twitter. Thank you, in advance, for your consideration.
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Did You Know?
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Did you know that AFA's new training video "Partners in Care: Supporting Individuals Living with Dementia" has been recognized by both the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work and the National Association of Social Workers as a provider of continuing education contact hours for licensed social workers?
Click here, to learn more about "AFA Partners in Care" and AFA's other dementia care training programs, or call Molly Fogel, director of educational and social services at 866-232-8484 x131.
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