Alzheimer's taskforce plan now includes mention of assisted living services

ALFA: Alzheimer's taskforce ignores assisted living options

Intensive lobbying paid off for assisted living groups vying for inclusion in the national Alzheimer's taskforce plan.

When the Department of Health and Human Services released the taskforce's draft plan in January, the Assisted Living Federation of America complained because the document failed to mention the role assisted living facilities play in serving Alzheimer's patients. In late January, ALFA sent HHS a letter with the latest data on the number of Alzheimer's patients that receive services in assisted living.

The most recent taskforce plan, released Feb. 22, includes assisted living in its strategy to assess and address the housing needs of those with Alzheimer's disease, according to ALFA. Panel members promised to conduct a data analysis in order to better understand what assisted living communities have to offer those with Alzheimer's. The plan will be submitted to the Advisory Council to Address Alzheimer' Disease for input and will be open to public comment.

“Assisted living has long served as a community-based resource families can turn to for assistance with caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease," ALFA spokesman Jamison Gosselin told McKnight's Wednesday. "Due to the growing popularity of assisted living, it is critical to have it included in both the national plan and national conversation about caring for seniors with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. We're pleased that HHS agreed and included it in its draft plan."

Click here to read the draft plan.