Fifth Annual Summit Drives Earlier Detection of Cognitive Impairment to Prevent Alzheimer’s, Reduction of Health Disparities, Greater Investment in the Pathway to a Cure, and Passage of the CHANGE Act

UsA2 Releases National Study that Shows Paid Medical and Family Leave has a Significant Positive Impact on Dementia Caregivers

Speakers Include Senators Capito, Collins, Markey and Blunt, NIA Director Richard Hodes, Celebrity Chef Madison Cowan and Actress Marilu Henner

WASHINGTON, DC (September 24, 2018) – Today, UsAgainstAlzheimer’s will convene their 2018 National Summit: Uniting Communities for a Cure. This event brings together leading lawmakers, policy experts, researchers, global industry leaders, medical professionals, individuals living with Alzheimer’s, advocates and caregivers to accelerate a cure through collaboration, mobilization and execution of systemic disruption needed to treat and cure Alzheimer’s and ensure a brain healthy future for all people.

“The theme of this year’s National Summit focuses on ‘Uniting Communities for A Cure’ - because it takes all of us to accelerate a cure,” said George Vradenburg, Founder & Chairman of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s. “The Alzheimer’s public health crisis is the second inconvenient truth of the 21st century. It threatens the human, social and economic future of every American. This year’s Summit gathers some of America’s brightest minds from across the ideological spectrum and from every touch point in the Alzheimer’s care continuum to drive prevention strategies and accelerate an end to Alzheimer’s.”

Among the solutions to be discussed at the Summit:

• Earlier detection of cognitive impairment. Early diagnosis is essential to devising prevention strategies for people at risk. The key to a cure is enrollment of early stage patients into clinical trials; however, late and inaccurate diagnostic processes stand in the way.
• Reduction of health disparities. African Americans and Latinos are two times more likely to have Alzheimer’s and two-thirds of people with the disease are women. UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Third Annual National Disparities Symposium will drive strategies for equity in access to Alzheimer’s resources and research, placing an emphasis on patient and community-centered priorities.
• Greater investment. Funding for Alzheimer’s research has grown, but the need is greater. This week, Congress could approve a bill that would boost federal funding for Alzheimer’s research by another $425 million, bringing the total up to $2.3 billion. The annual cost of Alzheimer’s is nearly $300 billion.
• Passing the CHANGE Act. The Concentrating on High-value Alzheimer’s Needs to Get to an End (CHANGE) Act encourages more timely and accurate assessment, detection, and diagnosis; provides incentives for innovative approaches to support family caregivers; and removes regulatory barriers to effective treatments.

At the launch of the Summit, UsAgainstAlzheimer’s released a report on a national survey, which found that employed adults who had the benefit of paid medical and family leave were better able to care for loved ones suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. The survey also showed that those with paid medical and family leave were better able to manage their own health, emotional well-being and finances.

“The results of this survey should serve as a wake-up call to employers on how important it is to provide paid medical and family leave to employees,” said Stephanie Monroe, lead author of the issue brief. “It impacts the ability to take care of loved ones, and it is important for the caregiver’s health, financial security, job performance and overall well-being.”

The survey found that caregivers who did not have access to paid medical and family leave had limited ability to attend loved one’s treatments or medical appointments, diminishing their ability to provide the desired care. The survey also highlighted that of those who did not have paid medical and family leave, 49 percent said it had a negative impact on their career, while 60 percent reported experiencing problems related to financial concerns.

To review the full survey, click HERE.