Alzheimer's Blogging:

Dear Readers,


The statistics regarding people who are never diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease are staggering. Although diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is reliable and valid, as many as half of individuals meeting specific diagnostic criteria for dementia never receive a diagnosis -- and some evidence suggests it could be as high as 80 percent. A formal and documented diagnosis opens access to valuable support and services.

Recently, the Health Outcomes, Planning, and Education (HOPE) for Alzheimer's Act (S. 738/H.R.1386) was reintroduced in the 112th Congress. Passage of this bipartisan legislation would improve care and outcomes for people with Alzheimer's disease by improving diagnosis, care planning, and medical record documentation.

The HOPE for Alzheimer's Act will improve the following:

•Diagnosis - Improve access to accurate clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

•Care Planning – Provide care planning services for individuals and caregivers in the physician's office, which includes information about additional medical and community based services.

•Medical Record Documentation - Ensure documentation of a diagnosis in the person's primary medical record -- enabling health care providers to anticipate and prevent potential complications in the management of other conditions (such as heart disease and diabetes) and allowing for care coordination among treating physicians.

Please ask your Members of Congress to cosponsor the HOPE for Alzheimer's Act and let them know how important diagnosis, care planning, and support services are for American families facing Alzheimer's.

Help us make a difference by sending a message today.

Capitol Hill is the toughest hill to climb, but we can do it with your support. Let's shift Congress into gear.

Robert Egge

VP of Public Policy

Alzheimer's Association

P.S.: Want to do a little more? Light a candle for our virtual rally by go to www.alz.org/virtualrally to learn more about how you can make a difference.

Sincerely,
Marie Fostino
Alzheimer's A Caretakers Journal
Seaboard Press An Imprint of James A Rock Pub., Co.
http://www.mariefostno.com/
http://www.mariefostino.blogspot.com/