Press Releases

Proceeds will support local families living with Alzheimer’s disease    

 

NEW YORK (August 16, 2018) —The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA), together with the Town of Babylon, will be hosting an “Alzheimer’s Walk in the Park” on Saturday, October 13^th, from 10 am to 1 pm (rain date October 14^th). The event will take place at the AFA-Town of Babylon Respite Care Relief Park (200 East Sunrise Highway, Lindenhurst), which serves residents with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers. Proceeds raised from the event will support the Respite Care Relief Park.

Individuals of all ages are invited to take part in the walk to raise Alzheimer’s awareness and support local families affected by Alzheimer’s disease. The family-friendly event will also feature health and wellness activities, music, entertainment, children’s activities and refreshments.  Free, confidential memory and hearing screenings will also be offered.

“More than 50,000 Long Island families are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and this event is all about bringing people together to support them. Each person who participates in the walk will be making a difference,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s president and CEO. “We invite everyone to walk with us on October 13^th and enjoy a fun-filled day of activities, all while helping Long Islanders living with Alzheimer’s disease.”

 

“I encourage all of our residents to come be a part of this great event. Whether you have dealt with Alzheimer’s firsthand or not, it is a great opportunity to support your friends, neighbors and other members of our community who do. Thank you to the members of the AFA team for all of their hard work in the planning of this walk and I am looking forward to a great day,” said Babylon Town Supervisor, Rich Schaffer.

 

The Respite Care Relief Park is the first of its kind in the United States. Located next to Babylon Town Hall, it is a peaceful, scenic, dementia-friendly place where caregivers can go to take a break and enjoy the outdoors, as well as feel comfortable bringing a loved one with Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related illness. The Park includes educational information about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, along with benches, a brick walkway, a gazebo and landscaping. Docking stations are also available where people can plug in phones to play music, which often aids in memory and brain stimulation.

To register or learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please visit AFA’s website at alzfdn.org or call AFA at 866-232-8484.

Registration for the walk is $15 per person or $25 per family. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

NEW YORK (August 16, 2018)—The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) and Bluestone Physician Services announced that they will be offering complimentary memory screenings at this year’s Minnesota State Fair.

 

AFA and Bluestone invite all to join them at the Fair and undergo a memory screening, which takes place from August 23 – September 3, 2018 at Bluestone’s booth (No. 4) in the Health Fair

11 building (which is attached to the food building) and located on the corner of Danpatch and Cooper Streets in St. Paul, MN.

 

“We are looking forward to providing memory screenings this summer once again at the Minnesota State Fair,” said Charles Fuschillo, Jr., President and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.  “Last year, we screened more than 4,000 people at the Fair.  We hope that even more people take advantage of the program this year, because taking care of your brain  is just as important as  taking care of the rest of your body.   We are grateful to Bluestone and the Minnesota State Fair for their continued dedication and commitment to working with us to provide this free health service.”

 

Todd Stivland, MD, CEO of Bluestone Physician Services said, “The Minnesota State Fair is a great way to reach a large number of people. Two million people from all walks of life attend the fair each year. Last year we were able to administer free memory screening tests to 4,000 people, but just as important, we provided information and education to approximately 20,000 people! Bluestone is very proud to volunteer our collective expertise of physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and nursing and support staff to such a valuable cause. We are looking forward with excitement to this year’s Great Minnesota Get Together!”

 

Screenings consist of a series of questions and tasks designed to gauge memory, analytical, and language skills and take only five to 10 minutes. While the results are not a diagnosis of any particular condition, a screening can suggest whether someone should follow up with a physician for a more formal evaluation.

 

There are a number of reasons that someone could be experiencing memory issues, including treatable conditions such as vitamin deficiencies, thyroid issues, depression, and even a lack of sleep.  If a memory problem does exist and turns out to be something more serious, such as Alzheimer’s disease, early detection can afford the person an opportunity to take an active role in developing their care plan.

 

For more information on the Minnesota State Fair, visit www.mnstatefair.org. Please visit the AFA/Bluestone booth (No. 4) at the Fair to obtain a free memory screening.

 

AFA believes that people should take a proactive approach to brain health and address memory concerns as early as possible. More than 4 million people to-date have been screened since the program’s inception.  AFA’s National Memory Screening Program is made possible in part by a grant from the Edward N. and Della L. Thome Memorial Foundation.

 

For more information on the National Memory Screening Program, or to find more screening sites, please visit alzfdn.org or call AFA’s National Toll-Free Helpline at 866-232-8484.

 23 Organizations in 15 States Receiving Grant Funds To Help Family Caregivers

(July 10, 2018) —  The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) announced that it has awarded $115,000 in grant funding to non-profit organizations to provide respite care services for families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related illnesses. 23 organizations in 15 states received $5,000 each as part of AFA’s Phyllis and Milton Berg Bi-Annual Respite Grant program.

Grants will be used by the recipients to fund services such as social model adult day programs, in-home aides, companion care and overnight respite.  Funding can also be used to provide respite care scholarships to families in need.  Studies have shown that respite care can help improve quality of life for both the individual living with Alzheimer’s and family caregivers by providing social engagement and cognitive stimulation for the individual, and affording a much-needed break for the caregiver.

“Respite care is a crucial service for families affected by Alzheimer’s disease.  No one can, or should, care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease all on their own, because caregivers need to be able to take care of themselves as well,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s president and CEO.  “Each of the organizations receiving this funding offers support services that enable caregivers to get a break, recharge and take time to tend to their own needs.  We are pleased to help them continue their important work and lend a helping hand to caregivers in their time of need.”

“Family caregivers give selflessly, day in and day out, to help their loved one.  It’s important that they also be able to care for themselves too,” said AFA Board Member, Barry Berg.  “Respite programs such as these are increasingly important to improve the quality of life for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and their family caregivers. We are proud to support these outstanding organizations in their efforts to provide support in their communities.”

Grant funds were awarded to the following organizations:

Alzheimer’s Orange County –                                                          Irvine, CA

Alzheimer’s & Dementia Services of Memphis, Inc. –                   Memphis, TN

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Society (DBA Memory Matters) –      St. George, UT

Alzheimer’s Community Care –                                                       West Palm Beach, FL

Alzheimer’s Services Center –                                                          Morrow, GA

Alzheimer’s Services of the Capital Area –                                     Baton Rouge, LA

Barry and Florence Friedberg JCC Senior Adult Day Program – Oceanside, NY

Bethesda Health Group –                                                                  St. Louis, MO

Caregiver Relief Program of Bedford County –                            Shelbyville, TN

Caregiver Support Services –                                                           Omaha, NE

Community Adult Respite Experience –                                         Albemarle, NC

Hope Dementia & Alzheimer’s Services –                                       Hyannis, MA

Keystone Adult Day Program –                                                       Oakridge, TN

Memory Matters –                                                                             Hilton Head Island, SC

My Second Home –                                                                            Mt. Kisco, NY

My Second Home –                                                                            White Plains, NY

Old Friends Club –                                                                            Kirkland, WA

OPICA Adult Day Program and Counseling Center –                  Los Angeles, CA

Payson Senior Center –                                                                     Payson, AZ

Respite Care of Charleston –                                                            Charleston, SC

Respite Day Services of Oxford –                                                     Oxford, MS

Riverstone Senior Life Services –                                                     New York, NY

Springwell Inc. –                                                                                Waltham, MA

The Phyllis and Milton Berg Respite Grants are awarded to organizations that share AFA’s mission of providing optimal care to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related illnesses, and their families.  They were created in response to the overwhelming need for respite care as a result of caregiving responsibilities.  Funding is awarded twice a year.  The grants are named in honor of the deceased parents of Barry E. Berg, who has served on AFA’s Board of Trustees since 2004.  Mr. Berg’s mother, Phyllis, lived with Alzheimer’s disease and his father, Milton, was her primary caregiver.

AFA is able to provide this critical support as a result of the generosity of individual contributions, grants, sponsorships and AFA development activities.  To help support these initiatives, please click here.

Organization Will Receive $25,000 Grant to Create Intergenerational Sensory Garden for Individuals with Alzheimer’s and Young Children

(July 5, 2018)— The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) announced that Thelma’s Place, an adult day center in Canby, Oregon, is the national winner of its 2018 Anne and Irving Brodsky Innovation Grant.  Thelma’s Place won the national award for its Intergenerational Sensory Garden – The Garden of Life.  Designed to create an enriching, educational environment for intergenerational programming for both individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and pre-school aged children, it provides opportunities for interaction and relaxation in a safe, home-like environment.

“Until a cure is found, the need for new, innovative programs that enhance the quality of life for families affected by Alzheimer’s disease will continue to grow.  Thelma’s Place is helping to meet that growing need,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., President and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.  “Their new, unique Intergenerational Sensory Garden is an interactive program that brings individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and children together to stimulate their minds, be creative and enjoy themselves.  We are pleased award this funding to Thelma’s Place and help them provide this new opportunity to both seniors and children.”

“When my mother was living with Alzheimer’s disease, there were no programs or places to turn to get support.  We provide this grant to give others what wasn’t available at that time; innovative programs that improve the quality of life for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and set an example which other organizations can follow.  Thelma’s Place is doing just that; providing a place where adults and children can learn, interact and have fun together.  Congratulations to them on earning this award and raising the bar on Alzheimer’s care,” said Bert E. Brodsky, AFA’s Founder and Board Chairman.  The grant is named in honor of Mr. Brodsky’s parents.

Ellen Coburn, Executive Director of Thelma’s Place, said, “Thelma’s Place is honored to receive this award and to be placed amongst the distinguished ranks of those of past honorees who have made important contributions to the Alzheimer’s community. We thank our founder, Erik Berkey, whose innovative vision to provide both respite and now intergenerational services to bridge the gap between young and old, to communities in Oregon, has made an impact on helping families living with Alzheimer’s remain together as long as possible providing supportive services such as Thelma’s Place.”

Coburn notes that when a Thelma’s Place participant’s ability to communicate or perform everyday tasks decreases, having an outlet for expression and to interact with children, while exploring nature, can empower, lift moods, improve self-esteem and positively impact their well-being.  The joy of children can also trigger dormant memories or emotions and stimulate interactions.  She has observed that interweaving children with Alzheimer’s participants for intergenerational interaction on a daily basis within a shared facility has resulted in delightful interactions, improving the lives of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease through increased connectedness, renewed purpose for living, enhanced feelings of self-worth, improved behaviors, and an opportunity to express laughter and an unconditional love with children in need of an enhanced sense of belonging, empathy and development.

The Garden of Life uses both an explorative play and learning space for children as well as a healing and therapeutic environment for seniors.  It allows for opportunities for interaction and observation, while utilizing the five senses, and it promotes inclusion.  The garden is filled with opportunities to stimulate the mind and create a joyful atmosphere.  Bringing all ages together, it will include diverse sensory garden “stations”, from the Tasting Garden’s raised plant beds that allow for wheelchair access to the Sound Garden’s musical instruments and the Observation Garden’s displays of nesting sites for birds and insects.

The stations are intended to produce various results, such as igniting creative expression and providing stress release through music in the Sound Garden, and imagination in the Exploration Garden.  In addition, this program allows caregivers to receive much –needed respite while also offering their families and caregivers support groups and education.

Thelma’s Place offers respite for caregivers of individuals with dementia while their loved ones participate in daily activities. They aim to enrich the lives of their elderly participants with a warm, friendly atmosphere, caring support and engaging activities.  Their setting focuses on socialization, learning memory enhancement activities, enjoying a variety of music, art and fitness programs.

Initiated in 2005, AFA awards the $25,000 Brodsky Innovation Grant annually to one of its nonprofit member organizations for a groundbreaking program or service that improves the lives of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and their families.  The program must fulfill a great need within the community and demonstrate potential for replication.

(July 2, 2018) —  The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America recently awarded $30,000 in scholarships to 30 high school students from 25 states across the country who submitted essays for AFA’s annual Teens for Alzheimer’s Awareness Scholarship Essay Contest.  AFA has awarded nearly $250,000 in college scholarships since the competition began in 2008.

Thousands of college-bound seniors entered the competition, which asks high school seniors to describe how Alzheimer’s disease has impacted their lives and what they’ve learned about themselves and their families in the face of this disease. The heartfelt stories shared the emotions, challenges and triumphs of caregiving, whether for a loved one or someone met through volunteering and how the teens planned to make a difference in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.

“As the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease continues to rise, many teens are finding themselves directly affected, whether it’s caring for a parent, a grandparent, or volunteering in an assisted living facility,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s president and chief executive officer. “We were humbled by the stories these teens shared and by the courage, love and optimism each of them brought to their situation.  Each of them cares about making an impact, and their eagerness to make a difference in the world and help those affected by Alzheimer’s is inspiring.”

The grand-prize winner, Laurence Crandon of Clarksville, MD, received a $5,000 scholarship for his winning essay about his grandfather’s bout with Alzheimer’s disease.  He described how taking on more responsibility as a caregiver for his grandfather as the disease progressed taught him about compassion, patience, and the importance of family.

Dani Moore, from Pendleton, OR, earned first runner up and a $2,500 award for her essay about her grandmother’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s.  Her essay focused on the love and devotion of her grandfather who, despite the many challenges caused by Alzheimer’s disease, cared tirelessly for her grandmother and did everything he could to keep her at home for as long as possible.  It showed her a love and selflessness that she had never seen before.

Second runner-up, Brooke Serra, from Pittsburgh, PA, won $1,500 for her essay about her great-grandmother’s experience with Alzheimer’s disease.  Brooke described how it actually brought her family closer together and taught her about loyalty, respect and how to adapt to unfamiliar situations.

The other scholarship competition winners are:

Third runners-up:

• Cydney Black – Hackettstown, NJ
• Kyah Davey –  Ririe, ID
• Sarah Birch –  North Attleboro, MA
• Quinn Thompson – Fairfield, CT
• Taylor Pennington – Gilbert, AZ
• Annie Wolfert –  Fishers, IN
• James Pedigo – Floodwood, MN
• Braden Gilbertson – Bismarck, ND
• Alexander Cole – Hillsborough, NJ
• Samantha Moser, of Cincinnati, OH

Fourth runners-up:

• Catherine Becker – New York, NY
• Haley Trebil – Edina, MN
• Megan Jackson – Crofton, MD
• Angela Velazquez – Tucson, AZ
• Ashleigh Gundy – Bryn Mawr, PA
• Mary Cannon – Lewes, DE
• Skylar Gordon – Pismo Beach, CA
• Anisha Mahenthiran – Indianapolis, IN
• James Ferry – Bayonne, NJ
• Nicole Ferraro – Bethpage, NY

Honorable Mentions:

• Jonathan Lolar – Charleston, SC
• Nimisha Prasad – Oswego, IL
• Sarah Jehl – Grayson, GA
• Abbygail Pollack – Orlando, FL
• Averie Elsass – Massillon, OH
• Brandon Salazar – Brownsville, TX
• Olivia Grassel – Boscobel, WI

The third runners-up received $1,000; the fourth runners-up each received $750; and the honorable mentions received $500 scholarships.

For more information about AFA’s Teens for Alzheimer’s Awareness Scholarship Essay Contest, please click here.

(June 29, 2018)— The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a package that includes a $425 million increase in funding for Alzheimer’s disease research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in fiscal year (FY) 2019, potentially bringing federal investment in Alzheimer’s research to the level the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease says is needed to find a better treatment or cure for Alzheimer’s by 2025. If passed by the full Senate and House and signed into law by the President, this would put overall funding for Alzheimer’s disease research at approximately $2.25 billion for FY 2019.  The Senate action comes on the heels of House Appropriations Subcommittee approval of $401 million in additional resources for Alzheimer’s research at NIH .  The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) issued the following statement from Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s president and CEO:

 

“Alzheimer’s is not a political issue, it is a public health crisis which demands continued action from the federal government. We are extremely grateful that both parties continue to work together on this issue and recognize the importance of investing in promising research at NIH, which we hope will ultimately lead to a cure or a prevention for Alzheimer’s.  Leading Alzheimer’s scientists say that $2 billion is the minimum amount needed to achieve the goal of the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease of finding a cure or more effective treatment by 2025. At long last, this increase would put funding for Alzheimer’s disease research at that level, offering greater potential to make a real impact in our search for a cure or better treatment.  AFA commends all the committee members who worked to pass this measure, and we encourage the full Senate and House, as well as the President, to approve this increase as well.  AFA will continue working with all stakeholders, including advocates, Congressional representatives, and the White House to pass a FY 2019 budget with increases for NIH, which will ensure that finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease remains a national priority.”

 

AFA—whose mission is to provide optimal care and services to individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and related illnesses, and their families—has called for a minimum of $2.25 billion a year in federal funding for Alzheimer’s disease research in FY 2019. Currently, Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, yet it is the only disease state in the top 10 causes of death for which there is neither a cure nor impactful treatment.

(May 31, 2018)—The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) is awarding $206,184 over the next three years to Stony Brook Medicine to support an innovative Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging research project that will compare neurons from healthy controls and those with Alzheimer’s disease in an effort to improve drug development. By gaining a better understanding of exactly how these neurons are damaged by Alzheimer’s, the team hopes to improve therapeutic strategies that can more effectively target and treat the damage and return these neurons to a normal state to help improve memory loss.

“New and innovative research is vital to advance the field and find the meaningful progress millions of families affected by Alzheimer’s disease are waiting for. AFA is doing everything it can to support the scientists who are working to achieve that goal,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s President & CEO. “Stony Brook University is one of the region’s leading research institutions. This research initiative has the potential to further the critically needed development of more effective medications and deepen our understanding of Alzheimer’s. We are very pleased to support this important work.”

“Today’s partnership with the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America marks the beginning of a collaboration between our two institutions, and it underscores our long-standing commitment to fostering scientific discovery and looking at ways new therapies can be developed,” said Stony Brook University President Samuel L. Stanley Jr. “We are grateful to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America for seeing the value in Dr. DeLorenzo’s research and for providing the generous funding that will make it possible.”

Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, and the only one in the top 10 without a cure or reversible treatment. Currently, more than 400,000 New Yorkers, including 50,000 Long Islanders, are living with Alzheimer’s.

The most commonly used drugs to improve memory in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s target a set of neurons critical for memory called cholinergic neurons. Loss of cholinergic function is a hallmark of cognitive decline. But these medications, which target the cholinergic system and are known as cholinesterase inhibitors, have only a modest effect.

“The type of innovative, translational research study that Dr. Christine DeLorenzo and her Co-PIs proposed has the potential to lead to the development of effective medications that specifically target the damaged areas of the brain,” said Kenneth Kaushansky, MD, Senior Vice President for the Health Sciences and Dean of the Stony Brook University School of Medicine. “Through this collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, Stony Brook will bring new insights into the origins of Alzheimer’s, which we will translate into advanced diagnostics, treatments and prognoses for our patients.”

Stony Brook’s research team aims to improve the efficacy of these drugs by increasing understanding of the structure and function of cholinergic neurons in health and how they are damaged in Alzheimer’s disease.

The research team is led by Christine DeLorenzo, PhD, Director of Stony Brook’s Center for Understanding Biology Using Imaging Technology (CUBIT) and comprised of colleagues from Stony Brook University’s School of Medicine. Dr. DeLorenzo’s co-investigators include: Ramin Parsey MD, PhD; Lorna Role, PhD; David Talmage, PhD; Nikhil Palekar, MD; and Mala Ananth.

“Through this generous funding from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, we will take advantage of state-of-the-art techniques available at Stony Brook University and Stony Brook Medicine,” said Christine DeLorenzo, PhD, Primary Investigator of the study and Director of Stony Brook’s Center for Understanding Biology Using Imaging Technology (CUBIT). “The result of this study will be the most comprehensive investigation of the cholinergic brain system to date, and our study stands to advance both the fields of neuroscience and neuroimaging.”

Stony Brook Medicine is a leader in the region for its effort toward combating Alzheimer’s disease for more than three decades with its Stony Brook Neurosciences Institute, through basic, translational and clinical research, diagnosis and treatment, as well as education. In addition, highlights of the commitment are demonstrated with the activities and programs of the Center of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease, one of only 10 centers supported in part by a grant from the New York State Department of Health, serving Suffolk and Nassau counties. This new disease research funded project will extensively push forward the frontiers of biomedical research on Alzheimer’s in the emerging field of neurotherapeutics and focus on bettering the health and wellness of those facing the devastating loss of their memory and other important mental functions.

Pictured left to right are: Kenneth Kaushansky, MD, Senior Vice President for the Health Sciences and Dean of the Stony Brook University School of Medicine; Stony Brook University President Samuel L. Stanley Jr.; Bert E. Brodsky, Founding Chairman of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America; Christine DeLorenzo, PhD, Primary Investigator of the study and Director of Stony Brook’s Center for Understanding Biology Using Imaging Technology (CUBIT); Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

(April 26, 2018)- The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) and Kmart Pharmacy are continuing their strong collaboration in 2018, as Kmart will conduct free memory screenings at Kmart pharmacies nationwide during “Older Americans Month” in May.

Working together, AFA and Kmart have enabled more than 20,000 people to be screened at Kmart pharmacies over the last year and a half.  Kmart Pharmacy will also coordinate with AFA to offer screenings in November as part of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month.

“We are very grateful that Kmart Pharmacy is continuing to work with AFA in our communities nationwide to help raise awareness about Alzheimer’s and ways one might optimize their brain health,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s president and CEO. “Memory screenings are a good first step in determining whether a more formal medical assessment is necessary.  By conducting screenings in their stores, we are able to reach more people, which in turn, will lead to more people being able to take a proactive approach to brain health.”

“Kmart Pharmacists have provided thousands of free memory screenings, collaborating with the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. This is a great example of how Kmart Pharmacy has long been a trusted wellness destination for patients, going far beyond simply filling prescriptions,” said Jennifer Speares Lehman, RPh, Kmart Pharmacy’s Senior Director of Compliance and Administration. “These screenings have proven to be an invaluable service that truly deepen the relationship with the patients we serve and the members shopping in our stores – it’s part of the reason Kmart pharmacists were voted #1 in customer satisfaction two years in a row.”

A memory screening is a simple, non-invasive test consisting of questions and tasks designed to gauge memory, language and analytical skills. Results are not a diagnosis, however, a memory screening can suggest whether additional follow-up with a health care professional is needed.

It is important to keep in mind that not all memory problems are indicative of Alzheimer’s disease. Other sources of memory problems include vitamin deficiencies, thyroid issues and depression, which are treatable and in some cases, curable.

AFA works with thousands of sites across the country, year-round, to offer screenings. For more information, click here or call 866-232-8484. To find a local Kmart Pharmacy, visit www.kmartpharmacy.com.

March 22, 2018

Here’s how the Omnibus Federal Spending Deal impacts individuals with Alzheimer’s disease:

Boost to NIA/NIH Funding

The omnibus federal spending deal, currently being considered by Congress, will deliver a $414 million funding increase for Alzheimer’s disease research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  This brings federal investment toward finding a cure or more effective treatment for Alzheimer’s to $1.82 billion for Fiscal Year (FY) 2018—the closest Washington has come to providing the $2 billion a year that leading scientists say is needed to make meaningful progress by 2025, as outlined in the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease.

Anti-Wandering Law

The spending deal will also enact Kevin and Avonte’s Law, which will deliver $10 million in federal funding over the next 5 years to support public safety programs that enable first responders to quickly locate individuals with Alzheimer’s or autism who wander away from their caregivers.

AFA’s President & CEO, Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. stated, “AFA applauds Congressional leaders for coming to this agreement. This spending package takes important steps forward in funding the fight against Alzheimer’s and helping the over 5 million Americans living with dementia and their family caregivers.  Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in America, and the only one in the top ten without a cure or reversible treatment; every dollar we can invest in research brings us one step closer to ending the Alzheimer’s epidemic.

“Enacting Kevin and Avonte’s law will protect our nation’s most vulnerable families from the hazards of wandering, which is a very common and dangerous behavior among individuals with Alzheimer’s. The funding will provide law enforcement with tools and technologies that will aid them in safely reuniting missing individuals with their families.

“It’s heartening to see progress being made, but our work is not done. The deadline to achieve the primary goal of the national Alzheimer’s plan—to find a cure or more efficacious treatment by 2025— is fast approaching.  We need to aggressively pursue funding that will put us on a viable path to material progress.  To that end, AFA is calling upon Congress to build upon this historic development and continue to make finding an Alzheimer’s cure a national priority by committing to a $425 million increase for Alzheimer’s disease research funding at NIH for FY 2019.

“At the same time, we recognize that until there’s a cure, there’s a need for care, so we will continue to call for increased funding for caregiver services, training and support to ensure those who are on the frontlines of the fight against Alzheimer’s have the tools to provide optimal and quality care,” Fuschillo added.

(February 9, 2018)—Congressional leaders have agreed to a two-year budget package that calls for increasing spending at the National Institutes of  Health (NIH) by $2 billion.  This would provide the additional funding necessary to increase Alzheimer’s disease research at NIH by at least $400 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2018, as approved by both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees last year.

If approved in a final spending package—overall funding for Alzheimer’s research will reach approximately $1.8 billion for FY 2018. The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) issued the following statement from Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s president and CEO:

“AFA commends Congressional leaders for working together to rise above the challenges and for coming to this agreement which recognizes the critical role of NIH—the crown jewel of U.S. biomedical research and innovation. It enables us to continue addressing the dire need to identifying a cure for Alzheimer’s—or at least an effective treatment to slow progression of this devastating disease.”

“In order to achieve the goal of the national Alzheimer’s plan—to find a cure or meaningful treatment by 2025—we need to aggressively pursue a path toward that objective. This funding increase is a step in the right direction.  AFA will continue working with all our partners –including our Congressional champions and the White House—to ensure that finding a cure or an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease remains a national priority.”

AFA—whose mission is to provide optimal care and services to individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, and their families—is calling for $2 billion a year for Alzheimer’s disease research from the federal government. This $2 billion figure is the amount that leading Alzheimer’s researchers say is necessary to make viable progress by 2025.

Currently, Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, yet it is the only disease  in the top 10 causes of death for which there is neither a cure, nor an impactful treatment.