Washington Updates:
National Institutes of Health Releases Strategic Plan for FY'16-FY'20
|
 The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has released its strategic plan for fiscal years 2016-2020. The plan focuses on four essential, interdependent objectives that will help guide NIH's priorities over the next five years. The objectives are: - Advancing opportunities in biomedical research in fundamental science, treatment and cures, and health promotion and disease prevention;
- Fostering innovation by setting NIH priorities to enhance nimbleness, consider burden of disease and value of permanently eradicating a disease, and advance research opportunities presented by rare diseases;
- Enhancing scientific stewardship by recruiting and retaining an outstanding biomedical research workforce, enhancing workforce diversity and impact through partnerships, ensuring rigor and reproducibility, optimizing approaches to inform funding decisions, encouraging innovation, and engaging in proactive risk management practices; and
- Excelling as a federal science agency by managing for results by developing the "science of science," balancing outputs with outcomes, conducting workforce analyses, continually reviewing peer review, evaluating steps to enhance rigor and reproducibility, reducing administrative burden, and tracking effectiveness of risk management in decision making.
In comments submitted to NIH on the plan this past August, the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) called for increased focus on cognitive screening, including evaluation of impact and utilization of screens, and further research into person centered care as well as caregiver training. AFA will continue to monitor NIH as it works to achieve its goals during the next five years.
FY'16 Budget Includes Increases For Alzheimer's Disease Research and Caregiver Supports
Prior to their holiday recess, Congress passed and President Obama signed a federal budget package for fiscal year (FY) 2016 that includes an unprecedented increase in federal funds for clinical research into Alzheimer's disease. Under the spending plan, the National Institute on Aging (NIA) will devote $936 million for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias research, a $350 million or 60 percent increase above FY2015.
In addition, some programs and services to help family caregivers also saw some modest increases in funding. The Administration for Community Living (ACL) will receive $14.7 million for its Alzheimer's Disease Prevention Education and Outreach program. The program encourages people experiencing memory loss to seek medical advice, addresses stigma, and funds new grants to states that expand specialized services and supports targeting certain categories of individuals living with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias. Also, ACL's Lifespan Respite Care Program will receive an additional $1 million for a total of $3.36 million and ACL's National Family Caregiver Support Program will receive an increase of $5 million, reaching $150.6 million in FY 2016.
AFA urges all Alzheimer's stakeholders to contact their members of Congress and thank them for their support. AFA will remain committed and, by building upon this success, will continue to work to increase federal funding for research and resources for caregiver services and supports in the coming year.
|
Resolve to Be Proactive About Brain Health
Take Part in AFA's National Memory Screening Program
|
According to a recent AFA/Harris Poll survey of 1,012 American adults, aged 40 and over, nearly 8 in 10 feel that they do all they can to promote a healthy lifestyle. However, while the vast majority of adults recognize various activities that could promote brain health (and decrease the likelihood of memory loss), it seems that most adults are relatively less concerned about being diagnosed with Alzheimer's (37 percent) than other conditions like cancer (55 percent), hypertension (51 percent) and cardiovascular disease (43 percent).
The new year is a great time to take a proactive approach to brain health. Just as we get annual check-ups for cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes, memory screenings are an annual check-up that should be added to the list.
AFA teams with a variety of organizations and sites nationwide to offer free, confidential memory screenings year-round. A memory screening is a simple, non-invasive test, consisting of a series of questions and tasks that are designed to gauge memory, language and thinking skills. Screenings last approximately 5-10 minutes and while the result is not a diagnosis, it can signal whether someone should follow up with a physician for a thorough evaluation.
For more information, to find a site near you or to sign up as a screening site, visit www.nationalmemoryscreening.org or call Allisyn Vachon, AFA's national program manager, at 866-232-8484 x161.
|
AFA to Host Professional Training Workshop at its NYC Headquarters
On February 1 and February 22, AFA will host an in-person professional training, at its New York City headquarters. Healthcare professionals who attend will learn strategies-including building relationships, effective communication and facilitating care transitions-that will help them further excel in the field of dementia care. Cost is $95 per person. For more information or to register, please contact Molly Fogel, AFA's director of educational and social services, at 866-232-8484 x131 or by e-mail.
New Support Group for Caregivers
 On February 3, AFA will kick off a new, telephone-based support group for caregivers. Open to all who care for someone with Alzheimer's disease or a related illness, this group will provide an opportunity for individuals to share their experiences, connect with others and learn how to manage their caregiving roles. The four-week group will take place Wednesdays, from 3-4 p.m. EST, and will be facilitated by one of AFA's licensed social workers. Registration is required and space is limited. For more information, contact Lauren Snedeker, L.M.S.W., at 866-232-8484 x117 or by e-mail.
|
|
|
|
| |
Join Us
| |
|
Care Connection Teleconference: "Ways to Manage Life Stressors as a Care Partner"
On January 14, AFA will host its monthly Care Connection educational teleconference. Guest host, Joan Griffiths Vega, M.F.A, of the Mindfulness Meditation New York Collaborative will present on ways to manage life stressors as a care partner. The teleconference is free and will be held from 1-2 p.m. EST. To join, call 877-594-8353 and use guest ID: 46692951#.
Click here for a list of upcoming Care Connection dates and topics.
| |
| |
|
|
| |
Member Spotlight
| |
|
AFA Partners In Care-Trained Organizations
AFA is truly proud of its latest professional training offering "AFA Partners In Care: Supporting Individuals Living With Dementia." This comprehensive six-hour DVD offers the fundamentals of dementia care and beyond, covering relationship-building, understanding behaviors as a form of communication and even the importance of self-care for the caregiver. We applaud our AFA member organizations who have recognized the critical importance of training and have purchased the "AFA Partners In Care" training video: Alzheimer's Care Resource Center; Alzheimer's & Dementia Services of Northern Indiana; Lutheran Family & Children's Services; EAC Network, Optimal Care, Inc.; Keystone Villas; Alzheimer's of Central Alabama; Phoebe Ministries; Music and Memory; Senior Concerns; Paonia Care and Rehabilitation; Payson Senior Center; Rendezvous Senior Day Service, Inc.; Alzheimer's Arkansas Programs and Services; GEM Adult Day Services; Sibley Senior Association; Caregiver Relief Program; and Memory Works. In addition, AFA members The 80th Street Residence, Avila Institute, Northwell Health (formerly North Shore LIJ), and Senior Helpers of Garden City, N.Y. have completed AFA's in-person staff training programs. AFA is extending a 25 percent discount on the "AFA Partners In Care" video to all of its member organizations from now through February 1. To learn more, please contact Molly Fogel, AFA's director of educational and social services, at 866-232-8484 x131 or by e-mail.
| |
| |
|
|
| |
In the News
| |
|
High Levels of Stress In Older Adults Could Lead to Cognitive Impairment Read more
New Study Seeks To Further Explore Possible Link Between Sleep and Alzheimer's Read more
| |
| |
|
|
 |
|
