Alzheimer's Foundation of America

Alzheimer's Foundation of America
Motto Caring for the Nation… One Person at a Time.
Founded 2002 (2002)
Coordinates 40°45′13″N 73°59′57″W / 40.753685°N 73.999164°W / 40.753685; -73.999164Coordinates: 40°45′13″N 73°59′57″W / 40.753685°N 73.999164°W / 40.753685; -73.999164
Area served
United States
Key people
 Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (CEO)
Website www.alzfdn.org

The Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) is an American nonprofit organization based in New York City. AFA unites more than 2,600 member organizations from coast-to-coast that are dedicated to meeting the educational, social, emotional and practical needs of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses, and their caregivers and families. Member organizations include grassroots Alzheimer’s agencies, senior centers, adult daycare center, home healthcare agencies, long-term care residences, research facilities, and other dementia-related groups.

Disease background

Experts believe that an estimated 5.5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease.[1] The number of people with Alzheimer’s disease doubles for every 5-year interval beyond age 65.[2][3] The Centers for Disease Control issued a report in 2017 showing that Alzheimer's-related deaths increased by 54.5% between 1999 and 2014. [4]

Unless the disease can be effectively treated or prevented, the number of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease will increase significantly; projections are that as many as 13.8 million Americans ages 65 and over will be affected by the year 2050.[5]. On January 4, 2011, President Barack Obama signed into law the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA), requiring the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish the National Alzheimer’s Project to, in part, create and maintain an integrated national plan to overcome Alzheimer’s disease; and accelerate the development of treatments that would prevent, halt or reverse the course of Alzheimer’s disease. In May 2012, HHS released its historic “National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease.”[6]

Leadership

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s Founder and Chairman of the Board is Bert E. Brodsky, Executive Chairman of Sandata Inc., Port Washington, New York. Brodsky founded the organization after his experiences serving as a caregiver for his mother, who had Alzheimer's disease.[7]

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s President & Chief Executive Officer is Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr..

Programs and services

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s core programs/services[8] include:

  • Counseling, information and referrals by licensed clinical social workers via a National Toll-Free Helpline[9]
  • Care Connection, monthly educational teleconferences with guest experts for family and professional caregivers
  • Dementia Care Professionals of America, offering membership, training, qualification and other benefits to healthcare professionals[10]
  • National Memory Screening Program, which offers free, confidential memory screenings and educational materials at community sites[11]
  • AFA Teens and AFA on Campus, divisions to educate and engage students—providing opportunities to establish local chapters; and participate in annual college scholarship and video competitions[12]
  • The national Educating America Tour which brings information about Alzheimer's-related programs and services to communities across the country.[13]

Publications

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America publishes:

  • AFA Care Quarterly, a free quarterly magazine for caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease or related illnesses[14]
  • An electronic newsletter highlighting relevant news and events related to dementia
  • Booklets, brochures and DVDs on care-related topics, such as medication management, communication tips, successful aging, preventing wandering, and driving.

Collaborations

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is a co-convenor of Leaders Engaged on Alzheimer’s Disease (LEAD),[15] and contributes content to HealthCentral.com, Inspire.com, and ShareCare.com.

References

  1. ↑
  2. ↑ Alzheimers Basics
  3. ↑ 10 Things You Should Know, PBS Newshour, May 29, 2013
  4. ↑
  5. ↑
  6. ↑ National Plan
  7. ↑
  8. ↑ Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s core programs and services
  9. ↑
  10. ↑ Dementia Care Professionals of America
  11. ↑
  12. ↑ AFA Teens and AFA on Campus
  13. ↑ Sisson, Paul (February 12, 2018). "Alzheimer's educational tour to kick off in San Diego on Feb. 20". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved July 2, 2018.
  14. ↑
  15. ↑ Leaders Engaged on Alzheimer’s Disease (LEAD)
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