Monthly Archives: July 2016

Alzheimer’s Association Greater Illinois Chapter receives $85,000 from the CVS Health Foundation

Posted on by
Reply

Alzheimer’s Association Greater Illinois Chapter receives $85,000 from the CVS Health Foundation

CVS has awarded nearly $85,000 to the Greater Illinois Chapter to support the expansion of counseling services for families struggling with Alzheimer’s and related disorders. Funds will also support the continuing education of Illinois practicing physicians and healthcare professionals.

Alzheimer’s Association Greater Illinois Chapter receives $85,000 from the CVS Health Foundation

Increased support will help fund new program for Alzheimer’s diagnosis, disclosure and education

As part of the CVS Health Foundation’s $550,000 commitment to the Alzheimer’s Association to support expanded provider education and diagnosis resources for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and caregivers, the company announced it has awarded nearly $85,000 to the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter.

The grant from the CVS Health Foundation will support the expansion of counseling services for families struggling with Alzheimer’s and related disorders. Funds will also support the continuing education of practicing physicians and health care professionals in Illinois.

Effective health care provider outreach and education are essential for helping people with Alzheimer’s disease achieve their best quality of life. According to the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2015 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, only 45 percent of people with Alzheimer’s or their caregivers say they were told the diagnosis by their doctor. This low diagnosis disclosure remains the reality, despite studies finding several benefits – including allowing for better decision-making, medical care and future planning – in clearly explaining a diagnosis of dementia to the affected patient.

“The CVS Health Foundation is proud to support the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois chapter in its effort to ensure that more people with Alzheimer’s are able to comprehend their diagnosis and receive affordable, high-quality care and support,” said Eileen Howard Boone, president of the CVS Health Foundation. “By facilitating care consultation interventions when a diagnosis is provided, the Alzheimer’s Association is helping to maximize a patient’s quality of life, which directly aligns with our company’s purpose of helping people on their path to better health.”

“More than 220,000 Illinois residents are living with Alzheimer’s disease. This grant will help us reach out to all of those affected in our area, especially those in rural communities,” said Erna Colborn, President and CEO of the Greater Illinois Chapter. “The support from the CVS Health Foundation will allow us the opportunity to greatly enhance the face to face interactions with clinicians, healthcare professionals, patients and families throughout our 68-county service area.”

The CVS Health Foundation announced in March that Alzheimer’s Association Chapters with provider relationships were invited to apply for grants to implement a one-year health care provider outreach and education strategy, with the goal of increasing the number of people in each chapter with access to care and support programs. The Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois chapter is one of six grantees across the country.

 

About the Alzheimer’s Association®
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all affected, and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. For more information, visit the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org or call the 24/7 helpline at 800-272-3900.

About CVS Health
CVS Health is a pharmacy innovation company helping people on their path to better health. Through its more than 9,600 retail pharmacies, more than 1,100 walk-in medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with nearly 80 million plan members, a dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than one million patients per year, and expanding specialty pharmacy services, the Company enables people, businesses and communities to manage health in more affordable and effective ways. This unique integrated model increases access to quality care, delivers better health outcomes and lowers overall health care costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is shaping the future of health at www.cvshealth.com.

Make your voice heard! – Alzheimer’s disease

Posted on by
Reply

Make your voice heard! – Alzheimer’s disease

The time to make your voice heard in Illinois is now! Our annual survey ends soon and we are asking for your participation. This survey is designed to gather input from the growing number of Illinois residents affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Whether you are currently affected, or have been in the past, we value your willingness to share your opinion with us.

Welcome to the 2016 Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Survey!
Illinois must develop a coordinated response to Alzheimer’s disease and prioritize funding for the vital services that so many in our State rely on. Given Illinois’ dire fiscal situation, we must do all we can to ensure our elected leaders understand the significant needs of their constituents living with or caring for one with Alzheimer’s.
This survey is designed to gather input from the growing number of Illinois residents affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Whether you are currently affected, or have been in the past, we value your willingness to share your opinions with us.
The results of this survey will be made public and shared with the media, community organizations, and our policymakers.
Thank you for your involvement and we look forward to your opinions.
Sincerely,
~The Alzheimer’s Association’s Illinois Advocacy Team

Seth Rogen and Lauren Miller Rogen nominated as WebMD Health Heroes

Posted on by
Reply

Seth Rogen and Lauren Miller Rogen nominated as WebMD Health Heroes

Alzheimer’s advocates and Hilarity for Charity co-founders (in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association) Seth Rogen and Lauren Miller Rogen have been nominated for WebMD’s Health Heroes People’s Choice Award for their work to end Alzheimer’s. Help them win this honor by casting your vote before Friday, July 15.

Why I Walk… Anne’s Story – Alzheimer’s

Posted on by
Reply

Why I Walk… Anne’s Story – Alzheimer’s

I Walk to End Alzheimer’s because of my dad, who is in the first stage of Alzheimer’s. My dad was only 65 when diagnosed. At home, we didn’t really notice anything wrong because he always did his normal routine, but as time went on, people at work began noticing that he was not being himself. One day at work, he just suddenly couldn’t remember what he was supposed to do for his job.

I Walk to End Alzheimer’s because of my dad, who is in the first stage of Alzheimer’s. My dad was only 65 when diagnosed. At home, we didn’t really notice anything wrong because he always did his normal routine, but as time went on, people at work began noticing that he was not being himself. One day at work, he just suddenly couldn’t remember what he was supposed to do for his job, and that had never been an issue before. His work had to call and talk to my mom after it happened a few times. Then when my dad was diagnosed, his employers were nice enough to do a layoff time leading up to the date that he could retire from their business.

There are times he forgets and gets upset; never really knowing if it is something he truly forgot or just the dementia. When my dad starts talking about the past, I let him. When he starts to remember something, I don’t say if it was from yesterday or from way back when, I just let him remember. Even if he repeats things, I still listen. I usually won’t stop him unless he is making himself upset. I see he still wants to do normal things, like mow my lawn, because it’s one thing he has not forgotten how to do. I’ve watched him struggle with other everyday tasks like reading, and now he doesn’t even read the paper anymore like he used to do.

He was always there for me when I needed him. It kills me to see him lose his temper so easily, when I know he was always pretty hard to aggravate. My girls now don’t even know how to act around their grandpa because they don’t know how he’ll react. They usually try to base it off the way he is acting. If he seems to be in relatively good mood, then my girls will play along with their grandpa. Yet, there are times he starts out in a good mood, and then soon turns upset. This is why we need to find a cure. Grandkids shouldn’t have to worry about how to act around their grandparents. They should always be ready to go hang with them and have fun. This is the reason why, back in February of 2015, my oldest daughter asked her volleyball coach to do an Alzheimer’s fundraiser with the team. They were able to donate the money they raised to two Alzheimer’s homes in Effingham, IL. They were also awarded for being the first grade school by IESA to do an Alzheimer’s fundraiser game. We do what we can in my family to help the cause.

Alzheimer’s disease is a topic that most people don’t want to talk about. My dad didn’t want us telling other people that he had dementia because he didn’t want them to treat him differently or walk on eggshells around him. I think that is part of the reason why it’s so hard to explain to people what it feels like to watch a person you love lose a part of themselves.

I participate in the Bloomington-Normal Walk to End Alzheimer’s because I don’t want someone else to go through what I have gone through. We need to find a cure so the past doesn’t get lost forever. We will never stop walking. We will walk until a cure is found. This is Why I Walk to End Alzheimer’s.

– Anne Kuhl

Sign up for a Walk or search available Walk volunteer opportunities near you.

 

Care and support service announced by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Posted on by
Reply

Care and support service announced by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

A new Medicare service — which would allow those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease to receive comprehensive care planning services through a medical visit — has been announced by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This decision comes after increasing bipartisan congressional support for the HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act. The Alzheimer’s Association has been leading this effort on multiple fronts with Congress and the administration. CMS will accept public comment, and the Alzheimer’s Association wants your input if you have dementia or are a caregiver or a health care provider. When implemented, the Medicare benefit will go into effect Jan. 1, 2017.

Alzheimer’s Association celebrates milestone for care and support services announced by CMS

In a major milestone for the millions of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has made it easier for physicians to provide critical care and support services for persons living with Alzheimer’s disease. Following rapidly growing bipartisan support in Congress for the Health Outcomes, Planning, and Education (HOPE) for Alzheimer’s Act (S. 857, H.R. 1559), CMS has proposed to begin paying for cognitive and functional assessment and care planning for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive impairments.

“Recognizing the fundamental importance of such a benefit, the Alzheimer’s Association and our advocates have worked for years to advance the HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act as a top legislative priority. We are very encouraged that CMS has taken this important step, reflecting strong bipartisan congressional support,” said Harry Johns, Alzheimer’s Association president and CEO. “Now, those living with the disease will have access to much-needed information on treatments, services and support that can positively affect quality of life for the individual, their family and caregivers.”

“This announcement is hugely important to those living with Alzheimer’s disease and the loved ones who help care for them every day,” said Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.). “My HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act called for care planning sessions for Alzheimer’s patients and their families, and I’m pleased that CMS is now proposing to cover these vital services under Medicare. While there’s more work to be done in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease, this is a strong sign that additional support and services are on the way.”

Today, only about half of those with Alzheimer’s disease have been diagnosed. And among those who have been diagnosed, only 45 percent of them or their caregivers are told of the diagnosis. One of the reasons physicians do not diagnose Alzheimer’s disease — or do not disclose a diagnosis once it is made — is because of the lack of time and resources to provide information and support to patients and caregivers.

“I urge CMS to implement this much needed benefit, but not stop here. With over 5.4 million Americans suffering with this terrible disease and that number expected to climb as the baby boom populations ages, I will continue to work with the Alzheimer’s Association, a strong leader in advocating for care planning coverage, to ensure that all Alzheimer’s patients are able to receive optimal care going forward,” said Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.), co-founder and co-chair of the House Alzheimer’s Caucus.

“Understanding that access to care planning services leads to better outcomes for individuals with Alzheimer’s as well as their caregivers, the Alzheimer’s Association and our advocates have been steadfast supporters of the HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act since its inception,” said Robert Egge, chief public policy officer of the Alzheimer’s Association. “For too long there has been a critical gap in care planning for those with Alzheimer’s disease, often leading to worse health outcomes, unnecessary hospitalizations and a decreased quality of life for those with Alzheimer’s disease.”

Alzheimer’s Association grassroots advocates and staff have held thousands of congressional meetings to secure support for the HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act since the bill’s introduction and have worked tirelessly to secure support for the benefit at CMS. The Alzheimer’s Association will continue to be actively engaged in ensuring the success of this new service as it advances through the regulatory process and into implementation. Following a period of public comment, CMS will finalize the rule and implement the new service starting Jan. 1, 2017.

Alzheimer’s Association®
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all affected, and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. For more information, visit alz.org.

Contact: Alzheimer’s Association
Media line: 312.335.4078
Email: media@alz.org