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November 20, 2015

News from the Alzheimer's Foundation of America
Deadline Extended: Phyllis and Milton Berg Family Respite Care Grants
Good news for AFA member organizations!  The deadline to submit an application for a Phyllis & Milton Berg Family Respite Care grant has been extended to December 15

AFA awards these grants--which enable its member organizations to provide scholarships to families in need--twice a year. 

The grants are named in memory of the parents of Barry Berg, a longtime AFA board member. Both Phyllis and Milton Berg passed away in 2009. Phyllis had Alzheimer's disease and Milton was her devoted caregiver.

For more information on the Phyllis and Milton Berg Family Respite Care grants, click here.
Washington Update:
New Report Looks at Growing Role of Medicaid in Dementia Care
Most people with dementia have Medicare, but due to high out-of-pocket costs and lack of long-term services and supports (LTSS) coverage, low-income persons living with dementia may also need Medicaid to fill coverage gaps.  

A new report from the Kaiser Family Foundation, "Medicaid's Role for People with Dementia," shows how Medicaid plays an important role in providing LTSS and is increasingly focused on efforts to help seniors age in place.  As cases of dementia increase in line with the rise of our aging population, there will be growing implications for Medicaid coverage, delivery system design, financing, and quality monitoring.
 
This report describes Medicaid's role for people with dementia who live in the community, highlighting common eligibility pathways, beneficiary characteristics, covered services, health care spending and utilization, and key policy issues. Click here for a copy of the report.


Encore Presentation
What Is PBA? Do I Have It? An Overview of Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA) in Alzheimer's Dementia

On December 1, from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. EST, AFA will offer an encore presentation of the "What Is PBA? Do I Have It? An Overview of Pseudobulbar Affect (PBA) in Alzheimer's Dementia" webinar.
Presented through a grant from Avanir Pharmaceuticals, this webinar examines the incidence and prevalence of PBA in Alzheimer's Dementia, how to identify symptoms and what to do about them. 

Nearly two million Americans with certain neurologic conditions are estimated to suffer from these uncontrollable outbursts of crying or laughing. PBA doesn't discriminate. It can affect men and women, old and young. Learn about this underserved and often misdiagnosed condition, and what you can do. 

Bijal Sheth, PharmD, medical science liaison at Avanir, will share information and resources to help family and professional caregivers recognize and treat the signs of PBA. Click here to register.
We wish you and your loved ones a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Free Memory Screenings on November 30
On November 30, the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office and the Town of Brookhaven, N.Y. will offer free, confidential memory screenings from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. at the Town Health Fair. The fair will take place at the Rose Caracappa Senior Citizens Cultural and Wellness Center in Mt. Sinai, as part of AFA's National Memory Screening Program. 

For more information, call the Brookhaven Town Senior Citizen Division at 631-451-9191.

Get Set for Giving Tuesday
Giving Tuesday takes place, this year, on December 1. The day is a dedicated time for people to give back--through monetary donations or service--in the midst of the hectic holiday shopping season.

Stay tuned to AFA's Facebook and Twitter pages to see what we'll be doing for #GivingTuesday and, if you are able, please consider making a donation below.