The Residential Assisted Living National Association (RALNA) announces the Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Research, Care, and Services. It’s finally here.
This council has been formed to:
- Further the research associated with Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias
- Examine and expand the care given to patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease and other related dementias
- Advocate for the expansion and enhancement of services for patients with Alzheimer’s Disease and their caregivers.
While the council will focus on Alzheimer’s Disease, it will also apply resources to other dementias such as:
- Vascular Dementia
- Lewy body Dementia
- Cognitive Impairment associated with Closed-Head Injury
- Other related dementias
The Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Research, Care, and Services is creating a National Plan to address the growing concerns associated with Alzheimer’s Disease.
As the prevalence of Alzheimer’s Disease continues growing, it poses a great concern to the medical community and public health officials.
Therefore, on an annual basis, this council will meet to evaluate the implementation of recommendations in its national plan.
RALNA is committed to shaping how Alzheimer’s and related dementia diagnoses receive evaluations and treatments.
Also, the advisory council will define the availability of caregiver services and support, while consistently advocating for the national agenda as necessary ideas to protect:
- American Families
- Healthcare Systems
- Care Facilities
- Long Term Care Facilities, mainly Assisted Living Homes
The Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Research, Care, and Services will be a robust committee. Twenty-Two members will comprise this council.
The following persons will be staples of this committee:
- Two Patient Advocates
- Two Caregivers
- Two Health Care Providers
- Two Representatives from State Health Departments
- Two Clinical Research Specialists
- Two Voluntary Health Association Representatives
Government officials will engage on the committee also. Individuals from the following areas will potentially fill the remaining ten seats:
- Centers of Disease Control
- National Institute of Health
- Food & Drug Administration
- Leading Research Officials associated with National Research
This robust body aims to advance actionable ideas. The committee will advocate and affect policy associated with medical care and social support for Alzheimer’s Disease and other related dementias.
It is the aim to change the trajectory of this debilitating disease by shedding light on:
- Prevalence of Alzheimer’s Disease
- Early Signs and Symptoms
- Treatment designed to affect the progression of the disease
- Support the furthering of pharmaceuticals to treat acute symptoms, if not halt the progression
- Advocate for financial resources to support patients and families struggling to care for loved ones.
This national initiative has the potential to change the American healthcare system.
STATE BY STATE IT GROWS
The advisory council is a national initiative that requires state acceptance in enactment.
Many states are evaluating the benefit of creating and underwriting such a committee. State governments must analyze the impact of Alzheimer’s Disease on their populations.
They must examine their existing resources, initiatives, and budgets to ascertain how effective current initiatives are and how effective those initiatives will be in the next two, five, and ten years.
State governments must also show existing housing for Alzheimer’s patients and project the housing needs requirements in the coming years.
In effect, existing and new data will require analysis.
Some states have done their due diligence and found this council to be an invaluable opportunity amongst the growing epidemic of Alzheimer’s Disease in their states:
- Arkansas approved legislation for the creation of an Alzheimer’s Advisory Council
- Arizona is close to approving legislation to support and fund an Alzheimer’s Advisory Council
- Nebraska is conducting meaningful and purposeful research and is very close to moving forward with approval.
Other states have begun their research and conduct due diligence to ascertain the feasibility and viability of adopting the advisory council.
Why? The prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementias is a growing healthcare crisis. It is a multi-pronged problem affecting:
- Family structures
- Significant caregiving burden
- Micro and macro economic ramifications
- Housing concerns and challenges
RALNA is well aware of the nature of an aging America. The Baby Boomers have specific desires and demands associated with senior housing.
RALNA is leading the way to address these demands and be at the forefront of this nation’s solution for diagnosing, treating, and supporting patients and families afflicted and affected by Alzheimer’s Disease.
THE FACTS ON SENIOR HOUSING
RALNA represents nearly 40,000 assisted living homes in America. The facts bear out the necessity for this council.
- 70% of current residents in assisted living homes are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease or other dementias.
- Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia.
- Alzheimer’s is now ranked in the top-10 for the cause of death in America, where no cure is available.
- 5.7 million people are currently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, but the projections show a tripling in diagnosis by 2050 to 16 million.
- New trends reflect nearly 200,000 diagnoses before the age of 65.
- Alzheimer’s Disease disproportionately affects women and communities of color more.
- The growth rate of Alzheimer’s disease is unmet with proper federal funding for research about the disease.
- Globally, Alzheimer’s Disease is a huge problem. Fifty million people have some form of dementia. This disease has pandemic-like potential with no current solution in place.
RALNA IS REDEFINING SENIOR CARE IN AMERICA
How will America face the encroaching epidemic of Alzheimer’s Disease?
The Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Research, Care, and Services is not just a good idea; it is a necessary idea.
The Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Research, Care, and Services is a growing force. Membership is currently free, enabling owners, investors, and operators of small residential assisted living homes to get the support needed.
Memberships offer discount group purchasing, blogs, newsletters, legal support, and so much more.
Now, RALNA’s new advisory council will address and combat the immense threat of Alzheimer’s Disease and other related dementias.
Please visit the Residential Assisted Living National Association for more information.
Visit www.RALNA.com to learn how membership with the national association will best serve your small business.
