A new national plan to combat Alzheimer’s
About the National Alzheimer’s Project Act1
In 2011, President Obama signed into law the National Alzheimer's Project Act (NAPA), which allows for the creation of the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease. Since then, there have been meetings between government organizations and advocacy groups to figure out the best ways to advance Alzheimer’s treatment, prevention, and research. Knowing more about the plan and its five major goals will provide insight into the future of the struggle against Alzheimer’s.
5 Goals
1. Research1
Advance research to the point that by 2025 there are effective treatment and prevention plans available.
| Prioritize ideas | The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will develop research priorities and then coordinate between government and private agencies to ensure research is moving forward |
| Expand research | Discover new ways to target Alzheimer's and then test them in expanded clinical studies |
| Diagnose and treat early | Utilize new technology to identify Alzheimer's years before symptoms present and develop treatments to slow disease progression |
| Reach across borders | Facilitate relationships with foreign agencies to further develop research opportunities |
| Loop in public | Educate both doctors and the general public about promising possibilities for new treatments |
2. Quality care1
Ensure that all people with Alzheimer’s receive the best possible care from diagnosis onward.
| Train the workforce | Educate paid caregivers so they understand the unique challenges of the disease |
| Diagnose early |
Ensure that people have access to the healthcare they need and doctors have the tools they need to facilitate a timely diagnosis |
| Educate upon diagnosis | Provide counseling and support to help people with Alzheimer’s and their families plan for the future |
| Use guidelines | Create guidelines that all healthcare professionals can use to provide quality care to people with Alzheimer’s in all settings (doctor’s office, assisted living home, etc.) |
| Innovate | Explore new methods to provide quality care while also reducing healthcare costs |
| Transition smoothly |
Make sure that the transition is handled properly when a person with Alzheimer’s goes from one care setting to another (eg, doctor’s office to an assisted living home) |
| Help groups facing particular care challenges | Understand the unique challenges faced by certain minority groups, people with intellectual disabilities, and younger people and ensure they get the care they need |
3. Support1
Provide families and caregivers with the tools they need to plan for the future and care for loved ones in a safe, dignified manner.
| Distribute materials | Provide or develop educational tools for caregivers and make sure they can access them |
| Support the caregiver | Research ways to help caregivers maintain their health and well-being |
| Think long-term | Provide caregivers with information to help them plan for long-term insurance care |
| Protect people with Alzheimer’s | Work to make sure people with Alzheimer’s are not exploited, neglected, or abused |
| Find stable housing | Ensure that people with Alzheimer’s have safe, affordable housing options available to them |
4. Raise awareness1
Educate the general public about Alzheimer’s in order to get the wider population on board with the national plan.
| Spread the knowledge | Clear up public misperceptions about Alzheimer’s that can lead to delayed diagnosis and caregiver isolation |
| Team up | Work with local, state, and tribal governments to create plans to educate the public |
| Think globally | Work with foreign governments that have similar plans to share ideas and resources |
5. Measure success1
The national plan can only work if the government is able to accurately measure the progress that’s being made as new ideas are implemented.
| Gather information | Collect the data needed to figure out if new initiatives are working and where more data are needed |
| Monitor progress | Create a document that tracks the success of the plan and incorporate findings into newer versions of the plan |
In the spirit of the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease, Axona will continue to further research, support caregivers, and educate the public in order to try and help improve Alzheimer’s care now and in the future.
