ALZHEIMER'S BLOG:

Please look at this weeks Alzheimer's Weekly. It is full of so much great information such as HealthCare Reform. I get this wonderful weekly news letter and learn so much from it. Here is a copy of what it says about our HealthCare Reform:


Healthcare Reform: 5 Points for Dementias such as Alzheimer's
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Five provisions included in the final Healthcare Reform measure should prove to be of great benefit the growing number of families living with dementias such as Alzheimer's.

Disclaimer: Healthcare Reform continues to be a highly politicized subject and this site aims to be apolitical. This article is not intended to advocate for healthcare reform, but only to inform our readers regarding the features it contains that relate to dementias such as Alzheimer's.

Congress included significant provisions in the final healthcare reform legislation to address the health concerns of a growing population with dementias such as Alzheimer's. Several provisions in the final measure would deliver substantial benefits to those with Alzheimer's and other dementias and to their caregivers.

"Many aspects of the final healthcare reform legislation will greatly serve the Alzheimer community," said Robert Egge, vice president of the Alzheimer's Association's Public Policy and Advocacy Division. "We are particularly pleased with those elements that improve the healthcare delivery system through the promotion of care coordination, transitional care and long-term care services."

Most of the Alzheimer population has one or more other serious medical condition. Coordinated care is critical because so many with Alzheimer's are also managing multiple chronic conditions, like coronary heart disease or diabetes. Cognitive impairment greatly complicates the management of these other conditions, resulting in more hospitalizations, longer hospital stays, and higher costs than for those with these same conditions but not Alzheimer's disease. In fact, Medicare costs are three times higher than for those without Alzheimer's disease, while Medicaid costs are nine times higher.

Elements in the final healthcare reform legislation would begin to address these issues:


THE CLASS ACT: Alzheimer families will be helped by the creation of a national voluntary insurance program, known as The CLASS Act, which provides benefits for long-term care services and support, such as respite care, home care aides and accessible transportation. This new insurance program will help individuals with Alzheimer's disease to remain as independent as possible within their homes and communities for as long as they can and is a great first step in addressing long-term care issues and in assisting families.


THE INNOVATION CENTER: Creating a new demonstration project, known as the Innovation Center, to examine ways to promote care coordination in the Medicare program, including for individuals with Alzheimer's and other dementias. "Care coordination is a process for ensuring effective communication among medical and community care providers and connecting an individual and their family with the services they need," Egge said. "The new Innovation Center will pilot new programs and identify which programs work best for individuals with dementia."


TRANSITIONAL CARE: Establishing a Medicare pilot program to provide transitional care to seniors at a high risk, including those with cognitive impairment, of re-entering a hospital. "Cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's and other causes increases the complexity of care transitions and post-acute care, resulting in increased risk for medication errors and hospital readmissions," said Egge. "Alzheimer families need assistance with planning and managing discharge and post-acute care, including arranging and monitoring in-home medical treatment and supportive services."


EARLY-ONSET ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND OTHER DEMENTIAS IN ADULTS UNDER 65: The legislation takes steps to address individuals with younger-onset Alzheimer's disease - those under the age of 65 - who have a difficult time getting and keeping private health insurance. Currently, almost 29 percent of individuals with younger-onset Alzheimer's disease have no health insurance, causing a great financial burden on their families. The healthcare reform legislation would make health insurance available to those with pre-existing conditions, and there would also be guaranteed issue and renewability. "We are glad to see provisions ensuring that individuals with younger-onset Alzheimer's can more easily obtain, maintain and retain health insurance," said Egge.


THE CURES ACCELERATION NETWORK: Ultimately solving the Alzheimer crisis - with its far reaching impact on families, business, Medicare, Medicaid and the nation as a whole - will require investment in research to develop effective treatments that prevent, stop or cure the disease.While healthcare reform was never designed to address this challenge, it does include an important step called The Cures Acceleration Network. This $500 million research program is aimed at developing treatments and cures for high need diseases, such as Alzheimer's, with an emphasis on bridging the gap between laboratory discoveries and actual treatments.
These various provisions included in the final healthcare reform measure should prove to be of great benefit the growing number of families living with dementias such as Alzheimer's.

Please go on their website www.alzheimersweekly.com They also have a video on National Alzheimer's Strategic Plan and more.

Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint Of James A Rock Pub., Co.
www.mariefostino.com
www.mariefostino.blogspot.com