National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease: 2022 Update

Michael Ellenbogen

 https://aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/59cefdd628581b48b2e389891a675af0/napa-national-plan-2022-update.pdf

 

The 2022 Update includes several notable recent actions to address disparities in ADRD care. Earlier this year, the Indian Health Service (IHS) established the Alzheimer’s Grant Program, a first-of-its kind funding opportunity that supports the development of comprehensive dementia programs, as well as education and training efforts for healthcare providers, persons living with ADRD, and their caregivers. IHS also launched an Indian Health Geriatric Scholars pilot, which will provide intensive training to primary care clinicians at IHS, Tribal, and Urban Indian Health programs.

“At HHS, we are committed to supporting all communities affected by Alzheimer’s disease,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “We are proud of the bold steps we have taken through our National Plan to reduce disparities in Alzheimer’s disease, support people with the disease and their caregivers, and reduce risk factors for the disease through public health measures.”

The 2022 Update continues to advance actions to reduce risk factors for ADRD, which was added as a new goal in 2021. These include the Food and Drug Administration’s recent final rule establishing a new category of over-the-counter hearing aids, an initiative that also advances the Biden-Harris Administration’s Executive Order on Competition. Hearing loss is a risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will also convene a National Summit on Dementia Risk Reduction to advance public health strategies to address ADRD risk factors from May 16-17, 2023.

The National Alzheimer's Project Act, which was signed into law in 2011, established the Advisory Council on Alzheimer's Research, Care, and Services and charged the HHS Secretary with creating and annually updating a National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease. The plan is developed with input from agencies across HHS and other federal departments as well as recommendations from the Advisory Council, whose membership includes healthcare providers, researchers, caregivers, individuals living with dementia, state representatives, and advocates.

The National Plan has six ambitious goals to:

• Prevent and Effectively Treat Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias by 2025
• Enhance Care Quality and Efficiency
• Expand Supports for People with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias and Their Families
• Enhance Public Awareness and Engagement
• Improve Data to Track Progress
• Accelerate Action to Promote Healthy Aging and Reduce Risk Factors for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias

dancsfo

There is an update from July 31, 2023 from a program by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services as part of the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease.

https://www.cms.gov/priorities/innovation/innovation-models/guide

"On July 31, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a new voluntary nationwide model – the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) Model – a model test that aims to support people living with dementia and their unpaid caregivers. CMS is accepting letters of interest for the GUIDE Model through September 15, 2023, and will release a GUIDE Request for Applications (RFA) for the model in Fall 2023. The model will launch on July 1, 2024, and run for eight years.

Model Overview 

The GUIDE Model will focus on dementia care management and aims to improve quality of life for people living with dementia, reduce strain on their unpaid caregivers, and enable people living with dementia to remain in their homes and communities. It will achieve these goals through a comprehensive package of care coordination and care management, caregiver education and support, and respite services. "

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The early results are promising.

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2809588

Marty Agather

While I am principal caregiver for my mother who is suffering from Alzheimer's, I also work as an executive in a healthcare provider that focuses on complex older adults, including those with dementia.

Progress continues on Medicare's GUIDE Model. While many details are still scarce, a number of organizations (neither total numbers nor names have not been released as of yet) have been notified that they have been selected as Participant Organizations to provide GUIDE care delivery services. Those organizations who have been approved as Established Programs may begin the process of having patients admitted into the program starting July 1, 2024.

Medicare will determine whether the patient (and if appropriate, caregiver) qualifies for the program. Criteria include an attestation of dementia from a participating provider for the Participant Organization, participating in both Parts A & B of Medicare, and not participating in a PACE program or residing in a Skilled Nursing Facility. At present, GUIDE is not available for patients covered by a Medicare Advantage program.

More on this extremely important and innovative approach as details become available.

Iris L.

How will a PWD apply to enter this program by July 1, 2024?

Iris