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December 18, 2015

News from the Alzheimer's Foundation of America
Washington Update:
FY 2016 Omnibus Spending Bill Features Proposed $350 Million Increase for Alzheimer's Disease Research

Congress The Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA), a leading national nonprofit organization dedicated to providing optimal care for people with Alzheimer's disease and their families, issued the following statement in support of the proposed increase of $350 million dollars for Alzheimer's disease clinical research at the National Institute on Aging (NIA), the lead federal institute researching Alzheimer's disease, and an overall $2 billion increase at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in fiscal year (FY) 2016.
 
Statement from Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA's president and chief executive officer:
 
"The Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) is grateful to Congressional leaders for recognizing the need to make Alzheimer's disease a national priority and urges Congressional representatives to approve this budget package.
 
"As our nation ages, the impact of Alzheimer's disease will be more profound and more families will face the effects of this debilitating brain disorder, which currently affects more than 5 million Americans. This proposed funding increase is a significant step forward in investing in promising research toward a cure. At the same time, funding for Alzheimer's disease research still lags far behind other disease states. Alzheimer's stakeholders and our champions in Congress, therefore, must remain vigilant and continue to build upon this momentum. With continued progress, it is possible to achieve the goals of National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease and to find a cure or meaningful treatment by 2025."
 
The appropriation represents a 60 percent increase in overall funds dedicated to Alzheimer's disease research, pushing that amount to $936 million in FY'16. In addition, language contained in the budget package calls upon the NIH to consider the burden of this devastating disease when setting its priorities and developing its strategic plan. Doing so would help ensure that scarce research dollars are applied to illnesses-like Alzheimer's disease-that are of greatest need and scientific opportunity.
News to Use
Webinar: Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Dementia
On January 7, from 3-4 p.m. EST, the National Alzheimer's and Dementia Resource Center is hosting a webinar on Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Dementia. Participants will learn about differences in dementia diagnosis, services and supports across various ethnic and racial groups.
Click here for more information and to register.

Islanders Team Up with AFA to Raise Awareness of Alzheimer's 
The New York Islanders hockey team announced this week that the franchise and the family of its longtime coach Al Arbour have teamed up with AFA to make the team's commemorative "AL" patch available to fans. Arbour, who recently passed away, battled Alzheimer's disease for several years. People can purchase the patch for $10 and proceeds go to AFA. Read more.

Member Spotlight
Alzheimer's Care Resource Center
Lake Worth, Fla.
 
The Alzheimer's Care Resource Center, located in Lake Worth, Fla., is a nonprofit dedicated to the caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses and the only organization in Palm Beach County that serves solely the needs of caregivers.
 
The organization offers hour-long caregiver coaching sessions, which enable caregivers to receive personalized support from a social worker, registered nurse or geriatric care manager. In addition, the Alzheimer's Care Resource Center offers companion care, geriatric care management, educational workshops, support groups and online videos to help caregivers better navigate their caregiver journey. It also offers falls prevention programming and conducts home safety evaluations. 
 
"There is a great need for programs that support caregivers," said Dawn Epstein, MACP, executive director at the Alzheimer's Care Resource Center. "Without such support, they face burnout, which can lead to illness or passing away before their spouse."
 
Alzheimer's Care Resource Center currently serves nearly 500 clients annually and continues to grow.
 
Dawn Epstein, 2nd from right, at AFA's Educating America event in West Palm Beach