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Support HOPE bill

Dear Editor:

In 2015, there are more than five million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease, including 87,000 in Alabama, with an estimated growth in diagnosis in Alabama up to 110,000 by 2025.

In addition, there are 15.7 million Americans caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or another dementia, including 301,000 caregivers in Alabama. This debilitating disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and the only cause of death in the top 10 in America that cannot be prevented, cured or slowed.

Having watched many in my own family battle Alzheimer’s before passing away, and while working in the nursing home and assisted living health care industry, I know the impact of this disease is devastating.

We are in need of support for the Health Outcomes, Planning, and Education (HOPE) for Alzheimer’s Act. The HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act would:

• Provide Medicare coverage for comprehensive care planning services following dementia diagnosis; the services would be available to both the diagnosed individual and his/her caregiver;

• Ensure that documentation of a dementia diagnosis and any care planning provided is included in an individual’s medical record. Keeping all doctors informed caring for this individual; and

• Require the Department of Health and Human services to educate providers about the new benefit and to identify any barriers individuals face in accessing care planning.

Documentation in the medical record is critical for coordinating care and managing other chronic conditions. Alzheimer’s complicates the management of other chronic conditions, and increases costs as a consequence.

For example, a senior with diabetes and Alzheimer’s costs Medicare 81 percent more than a senior who has diabetes but no diagnoses of Alzheimer’s. Seniors with Alzheimer’s also have more than three times as many hospital stays as other seniors.

It is extremely important to document the diagnosis in their medical record so that all treating physicians are aware of the diagnosis, enabling them to better manage the individual’s health care.

In order to change the trajectory of Alzheimer’s we must take bold steps now toward finding the needed treatments, prevention and, one day, a cure. The urgency is clear. Alzheimer’s can’t wait.

Please contact Sen. Jeff Sessions and ask him to co-sponsor the HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act. Visit alz.org to learn more about how to get involve and help us make a difference.

Sincerely,

Brenda Hinshaw

Alzheimer’s Association

Ambassador

Hazel Green