NEW YORK, Nov. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- A proposal advanced by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) to make memory screenings more accessible was attached to legislation approved by Congress this past weekend, potentially leading to a greater opportunity for early diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and related illnesses.
The provision was part of the Conference Report for the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill, H.R. 4818, which includes fiscal 2005 funding levels for the departments of Labor, Education, and Health and Human Services (HHS), and related agencies. The appropriations measure passed the House by a vote of 344-to-51 and the Senate by a vote of 65-to-30 on November 20. President Bush is expected to sign the measure into law.
The HHS Secretary is directed to report by March 2005 on “the effectiveness and accuracy of existing screening tools to detect early stage memory impairment, along with recommendations to expand access to screening in the public and private sectors,” according to the Joint Explanatory Statement accompanying the appropriations measure. The study requirement was included in the House report for the HHS appropriations bill.
The AFA had suggested the inclusion of this language as part of its efforts to promote a widespread national public-private memory screening initiative with the goal of early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and related illnesses, and dissemination of information about successful aging.
“We are gratified that Congress is moving in this direction, and we are especially delighted that the measure passed during November -- National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month,” said Eric J. Hall, AFA’s chief executive officer. “Making memory screenings more accessible will help remove the stigma of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, and ensure that the growing number of Americans facing these disorders secure proper care.”
In particular, Hall expressed his gratitude to House Appropriations Committee Chairman Bill Young (R-FL) and Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Ralph Regula (R-OH) for their efforts to include the study provision.
Dr. Richard Powers, an AFA board member and chief of the Bureau of Geriatric Psychiatry, Alabama Department of Mental Health, called memory screenings “cost-effective, safe and simple.” “In time, we hope people will become as familiar with them as they are with the blood pressure cuff,” he said.
Currently, Alzheimer’s disease affects an estimated five million Americans; the incidence is expected to triple by mid-century.
Passage of the provision comes on the heels of AFA’s National Memory Screening Day on November 16, when Americans took advantage of free, confidential memory screenings at hundreds of sites nationwide. Those with memory problems were directed to healthcare professionals for further evaluation, while those with normal scores were given information about warning signs and brain health.
One individual who was screened at AFA’s headquarters in New York City said she felt better as a result of the testing. “It relieved some of the stress I had to know that I’ve taken the first steps ... and to know that there is some place to go to for help,” said Sarah Smiley, a 63-year-old retired engineer.
AFA’s memory screening initiative coincides with its overall mission to provide optimal care to those with Alzheimer’s disease and related illnesses, and their families. The nonprofit organization unites grassroots agencies from coast-to-coast that provide hands-on dementia care. Its services include a toll-free hotline -- 866-AFA-8484, counseling, educational materials, a caregiver magazine, and referrals to local resources. For more information, call 866-AFA-8484 or visit http://www.alzfdn.org/.
Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
CONTACT: Carol Steinberg of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America,+1-866-AFA-8484
Web site: http://www.alzfdn.org/