The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ (HHS) recently released Draft Framework for the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease notably omitted assisted living from all but one of its strategies and recommendations. ALFA’s newly submitted comments to HHS highlights its concerns and recommends changes to the plan.
Created as result of the passage of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act, the draft plan for combating Alzheimer’s disease describes a long term plan for treating and preventing Alzheimer’s over the coming years. Although a good start, those familiar with assisted living found the omission of assisted living in the framework troubling. Given that assisted living communities accommodate a rapidly growing number of seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia, assisted living communities have and will play a role in the future of Alzheimer’s care and treatment. In fact, more than one third of current residents living in assisted living have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
ALFA has been working with the National Alzheimer’s Association and other allies in revising the draft framework. ALFA has submitted comments voicing its concerns and highlighting areas for improvement in the draft framework. Each ALFA member is encouraged to read the Draft Framework for the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease and voice their thoughts to HHS by sending an email to [email protected].
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