Alzheimer's Foundation of America
 | |
| Motto | Caring for the Nation… One Person at a Time. |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2002 |
| Coordinates | 40°45′13″N 73°59′57″E / 40.753685°N 73.999164°ECoordinates: 40°45′13″N 73°59′57″E / 40.753685°N 73.999164°E |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (CEO) |
| Website |
www |
The Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) is an American nonprofit organization based in New York City. AFA unites more than 2,300 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 as many as 5 million Americans age 65 and older have Alzheimer’s disease. The number of people with Alzheimer’s disease doubles for every 5-year interval beyond age 65.[1][2] Unless the disease can be effectively treated or prevented, the number of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease will increase significantly in the next two decades. 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.”[3]
Leadership
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s Chairman of the Board is Bert E. Brodsky, Executive Chairman of Sandata Inc., Port Washington, New York.
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s Chief Executive Officer is Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., who served as a member of the New York State Senate for nearly 16 years prior to joining the foundation in January, 2014.[4]
Programs and services
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s core programs/services[5] include:
- Counseling, information and referrals by licensed clinical social workers via a toll-free hotline
- 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[6]
- National Memory Screening Day, an annual event that offers free, confidential memory screenings and educational materials at community sites[7]
- 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[8]
Publications
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America publishes:
- Care ADvantage, a free quarterly magazine for caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease or related illnesses[9]
- A bi-weekly 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),[10] and contributes content to HealthCentral.com, Inspire.com, and ShareCare.com.
References
- ↑ Alzheimers Basics
- ↑ 10 Things You Should Know, PBS Newshour, May 29, 2013
- ↑ National Plan
- ↑ Sen. Charles Fuschillo resigns from State senate, Newsday, December 31, 2013
- ↑ Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s core programs and services
- ↑ Dementia Care Professionals of America
- ↑ National Memory Screening Day
- ↑ AFA Teens and AFA on Campus
- ↑ care ADvantage
- ↑ Leaders Engaged on Alzheimer’s Disease (LEAD)