Alzheimer's Association Demands That Congress Address Research Funding Increase, Caregiver Assistance and Improving Medicare.News Editors/Health & Medical Writers LOS ANGELES--(BW HealthWire)--March 24, 2000 National Forum Makes Major Push to Head Off an Epidemic Residents of Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, attended a national forum on Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease (ăls`hī'mərz, ôls–), degenerative disease of nerve cells in the cerebral cortex that leads to atrophy of the brain and senile dementia. and found local members of Congress very receptive to the programs being pushed to avert a national epidemic as the baby boomers See generation X. reach the age of highest risk of the disease. A 16-member delegation from Southern California attended the forum, including Peter Braun, the executive director of the Alzheimer's Association The Alzheimer's Association, incorportated on April 10, 1980 as the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association, Inc., is a non-profit American voluntary health organization which focuses on care, support and research for Alzheimer's disease. of Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. , and executive directors Linda Scheck of the Orange County Chapter and Maureen Moncada of the Riverside/San Bernardino Counties Chapters. "Health care is a matter of growing national concern and the aging of America is a well established demographic fact, since the oldest baby boomers are 54 this year," said Braun. "It stands to reason that we get a wider audience for the Alzheimer's Association's public policy proposals of research funding Research funding is a term generally covering any funding for scientific research, in the areas of both "hard" science and technology and social science. The term often connotes funding obtained through a competitive process, in which potential research projects are evaluated and , caregiver care·giv·er n. 1. An individual, such as a physician, nurse, or social worker, who assists in the identification, prevention, or treatment of an illness or disability. 2. assistance and improvements in Medicare." A new analysis of national census data released at the Alzheimer's Association's 12th annual Public Policy Forum projects that at current rates, the number of Americans with the disease will grow by 350 percent by mid-century, with the epidemic even worse in states with large numbers of baby boomers. The statistics on the state of California show that 473,000 people currently have Alzheimer's disease. That figure will increase to 827,000 in the year 2025. The numbers are projected to soar after 2025 as the baby boomers age. Statistics show that after age 65, one in every 10 Americans will have the disease and 50 percent of people over the age of 85 will be afflicted af·flict tr.v. af·flict·ed, af·flict·ing, af·flicts To inflict grievous physical or mental suffering on. [Middle English afflighten, from afflight, . The Alzheimer's Association is seeking an increase of $100 million above current federal appropriation levels for Alzheimer research at the National Institutes of Health. President Clinton has repeated his 1999 call for tax credits and other assistance for caregiver families, and Medicare is under wide congressional scrutiny. The Association says improvement in Medicare should start with a prescription drug prescription drug Prescription medication Pharmacology An FDA-approved drug which must, by federal law or regulation, be dispensed only pursuant to a prescription–eg, finished dose form and active ingredients subject to the provisos of the Federal Food, Drug, benefit and improved home health care coverage for the chronically ill. A wide variety of speakers at the national forum included renowned research scientists who say they are closer than ever to a breakthrough. The delegation from Southern California attended two days of workshops on a variety of topics, including assistance for today's family caregivers A family caregiver is a person who manages or provides direct assistance to a loved one who needs help with day to day activities because of a chronic condition, cognitive limitations, or aging. -- another vital part of the Association's work. "We were very pleased with the reception we received from our congressional delegation," said Braun. "I believe we established the urgency of Alzheimer's with some very sympathetic listeners." The Alzheimer's Association is the largest voluntary national health organization dedicated to conquering Alzheimer's disease through research and to providing information and support to people with Alzheimer's disease and their families. Founded in 1980, the association works through a network of nearly 200 chapters across the country. The Alzheimer's Association's Chapters in Southern California serve more than 220,000 people with Alzheimer's disease and their families in the Southern California area, with a variety of programs and services for patients and family members. For information regarding the Alzheimer's Association's Southern California Chapters and their services, call 800/660-1993. In July, world leaders For a list of heads of state, see . World leaders is a MMORPG. The game involves creating a state, joining an alliance and going into war. It is mostly played by players from Israel, China, USA, Britain, Brazil and Saudi-Arabia. in Alzheimer care and research will unite at World Alzheimer Congress 2000 for the vital purpose of sharing information to improve the lives of people affected by Alzheimer's disease. This unique gathering of scientists, health care professionals and other Alzheimer specialists is a collaborative effort of the Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer's Disease International and the Alzheimer Society of Canada. For more information, visit http://www.alzheimer2000.org. |
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