Washington Updates:
Alzheimer's Foundation of America Calls for $1 Billion Increase for Alzheimer's Research
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Last week, the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) sent a letter to President Obama, requesting that an additional $1 billion be appropriated for Alzheimer's research in the Administration's budget for fiscal year 2017 (FY'17). AFA also requested $40 million in enhanced investments for caregiver supports and services in FY'17.
AFA thanked President Obama and Congress for their leadership in bringing Alzheimer's disease into the national conversation and recognized that their efforts have helped elevate eradicating this disease to a national priority. Under President Obama's watch, a national Alzheimer's plan was established which set an aggressive, but attainable, goal of finding a cure or modifying treatment by 2025. In addition, the FY'16 federal budget contained a historic 60 percent increase in Alzheimer's disease research at the National Institute of Aging (NIA), the main agency responsible for Alzheimer's disease research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Yet Alzheimer's research still lags behind other disease states such as HIV, cancer and heart disease.
AFA's requested $40 million increase for caregiver services at the Administration for Community Living would fund Alzheimer's disease demonstration grants, case management, respite care and caregiver training and support under the Alzheimer's Disease Initiative. Such services are crucial in helping caregivers cope with daily challenges of the disease and helps individuals living with Alzheimer's disease have better health outcomes and can delay the need for costly nursing home placement-two things that save precious government resources. AFA also requested $5 million go to the Department of Justice in FY'17 to fund the Missing Alzheimer's Disease Patient Alert Program.
AFA is grateful to President Obama and his Administration for their continued efforts in supporting our nation's growing population of people impacted by dementia and their family caregivers.
Advisory Council on Alzheimer's Research, Care and Services to Meet January 25
The next meeting of the Advisory Council on Alzheimer's Research, Care and Services will be held January 25, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST. In addition to hearing updates from the three federal working groups (research, clinical and long term care supports and services) meeting participants will discuss the milestones under two of the goals of the national Alzheimer's plan: enhancing care quality and efficiency and expanding long-term care services and supports.
AFA has been closely following the work of the Advisory Council and has submitted input regarding action steps and further recommendations to shape development of the national Alzheimer's plan. The meeting will be webcast live. AFA will also provide a summary of the meeting in the next issue of this newsletter.
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Join Us: AFA Concepts In Care Educational Conferences
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This year, AFA is bringing its signature educational conference: Concepts in Care to four cities. Beginning in April, in Northport, N.Y., the free, interactive conference for family and professional caregivers and people with Alzheimer's disease will also visit Nashville Tenn. (May 5), New York City (May 13) and Washington, D.C. (September 29).
The event will feature a variety of Alzheimer's and caregiving experts and will cover topics including palliative care; sex, intimacy and dementia and the changing paradigm of clinical trials. Recreational therapies for individuals with Alzheimer's disease will be offered on-site. There will also be an exhibit hall and free, confidential memory screenings.
For more information regarding attendance, exhibiting or sponsorships, please contact Josie DiChiara, AFA's senior vice president, external relations, at 866-232-8484 x112 or by e-mail.
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New Website Seeks to Demystify Medicare
The MedicareRights Center has introduced Medicare Interactive (MI), a free, online reference to help older adults and people with disabilities understand the complex subject of healthcare. Click here to visit the site.
Phone-Based Caregiver Support Group Begins February 3
On February 3, AFA will kick off a 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: Professional Training at AFA's New York Headquarters
Healthcare professionals looking to gain strategies and an increased knowledge of how to further excel in dementia care can attend "AFA's Partners in Care: Supporting Individuals Living With Dementia" training sessions from February through May. These in-person workshops will be held February 22 and 29; March 18 and 30; April 11 and 26; and May 9 and 23, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at AFA's headquarters in New York City. Click here for more information or to register.
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Member Spotlight
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LIJ Medical Center Emergency Department,
Approximately 35-40 members of staff--including nurses, aides and some support staff--attended the training. The goal, Dr. Carney explained, was to train the ER's front-line staff to recognize behaviors that could indicate that someone has dementia or a cognitive impairment and to learn to better communicate with such individuals.
"When individuals with dementia comes to the ER, they may be afraid because they can't process where they are or what is being done to them," said Dr. Carney. "It's important to know how to approach them without alarming them and to realize that the environment may cause an acute exacerbation of cognitive impairment."
Carney believes dementia training should almost be routine because of the "epidemic of dementia our country is facing."
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| | Maria Carney, M.D., chief of geriatrics and palliative care, Northwell Health |
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Fundraiser Spotlight
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Dalton Powell
Purdue University
A group of seniors at Purdue University has been challenged to raise money for a charity of its choice-one that hits close to home-as part of its capstone class. Together, the group chose AFA and hopes to raise $2,500 for AFA by January 28.
Asked why the group chose AFA, Dalton Powell, one of the members said, "Alzheimer's has affected each member of our group in different ways. Our group members' personal stories with Alzheimer's range from family friends to others close to our hearts."
He continued: We want to raise awareness and funds toward a cure. It is not easy to cope with Alzheimer's, for the person with the disease and for the family members watching the toll it takes on their loved ones."
Click here to contribute to this fundraiser.
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| | From left: Dalton Powell, Noelle Miller, Alex Morris and Luke Tippmann |
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