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.