Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s Medical, Scientific and Memory Screening Advisory Board to Develop New Recommendations to Further the Fight Against Alzheimer’s

NEW YORK, Sept. 21, 2017 -- The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) recently convened a roundtable meeting of its Medical, Scientific and Memory Screening Advisory Board in Washington, DC to discuss ways to solve some of the emerging issues in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.  The discussions will be the basis for policy recommendations that the advisory board will be issuing in the coming months.

“AFA’s Medical, Scientific and Memory Screening Advisory Board is comprised of leading experts in the care, treatment and research of Alzheimer’s disease,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s President and CEO.  “This roundtable was a great way to have these top minds come together, share information and brainstorm solutions to make things better for families living with Alzheimer’s disease.”  

Issues discussed at the roundtable include:

• Ways to change public policy to incorporate the unique needs of individuals with young-onset Alzheimer’s, who are often still in the workforce, supporting a family and do not qualify for Medicare or Older Americans Act programs and services.
   
• The growing use of testing to identify a genetic predisposition Alzheimer’s disease and how that information is used. 
   
• Developing comprehensive information to help guide caregivers throughout the entire caregiving journey, from the moment the disease enters their lives until the time it leaves.

Additionally, the roundtable discussion included a presentation by Dr. Marie Bernard, Deputy Director of the National Institute on Aging (NIA) at the National Institutes of Health, on steps the federal government is taking to combat Alzheimer’s disease, invest in research and support those affected by the disease. 

Members participating in the discussion included Dr. J. Wesson Ashford; Dr. Soo Borson; Dr. Herman Buschke; Dr. Jeffrey Cummings; Marge Dean; Dr. Sanford Finkel; Dr. Lori Frank; Dr. Lee Hyer; Dr. George Perry; Dr. Richard Powers; and Dr. Frederick Schmitt. 

“AFA is grateful for the guidance and expertise of this esteemed panel of scientists, doctors and researchers.  We hope to harness this knowledge and passion to help navigate emerging issues, like the caregiver journey, genetic testing and awareness of young onset of Alzheimer’s disease, that impacts those living with dementia and their family caregivers,” said Eric Sokol, AFA’s Senior Vice-President of Public Policy.

Members of the advisory board will be issuing recommendations on the topics in the coming months.

About Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA):
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, based in New York, is a non-profit organization that unites more than 2,600 member organizations nationwide with the goal of providing optimal care and services to individuals living with dementia, and to their caregivers and families. Its services include a national, toll-free helpline (866-232-8484) staffed by licensed social workers, educational conferences and materials, a free quarterly magazine for caregivers and “AFA Partners in Care” dementia care training for healthcare professionals. For more information about AFA, call 866-232-8484, visit www.alzfdn.org, follow us on Twitter, or connect with us on Facebook or LinkedIn. 

CONTACT:   
Chris Schneider
866-232-8484, ext. 121
[email protected]