An unfortunate reality is only half of those living with Alzheimer’s are diagnosed. And of those who do get diagnosed, only half are told of their diagnosis. This is both frustrating and avoidable. 

That’s why the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM) is working with bipartisan congressional champions on a policy solution that will better enable a timely and accurate diagnosis leading to improved access to care and support services. The bipartisan Accelerating Access to Dementia & Alzheimer’s Provider Training (AADAPT) Act (H.R. 7688 / S. 4276) will not only improve access to early diagnosis and quality dementia care, but it will reduce geographic barriers and the cost of care. 

In 85% of cases, the initial diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is made by a non-dementia specialist — usually a primary care provider. But most report they do not feel prepared to provide care for those diagnosed because they are not dementia specialists. Additionally, overburdened primary care providers are often unable to access the latest patient-centered dementia training.

Through the use of Project ECHO, the AADAPT Act will provide virtual Alzheimer’s and dementia education and training to more primary care providers to help them better detect, diagnose, care, and treat Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. The bipartisan bill would expand the current ECHO program by providing grants specifically for Alzheimer’s and dementia to address the knowledge gaps and workforce capacity issues primary care providers face. 

Importantly, by connecting dementia care experts with primary care providers through free, remote continuing education, the AADAPT Act will improve access to early diagnosis and quality dementia care in rural, frontier and medically underserved areas, where primary care providers are especially strained.

Quality care delivered by trained providers leads to better health outcomes for individuals and caregivers and puts less strain on health systems. Through this expansion of Project ECHO, the AADAPT Act will empower primary care providers to better understand and diagnose Alzheimer’s and other dementia while emphasizing high-quality, person-centered care in community-based settings.

With FDA-approved Alzheimer’s treatments and more in the research pipeline, expanding access to a timely and accurate diagnosis is even more critical. Join us and urge your members of Congress to support the bipartisan AADAPT Act, which will improve dementia workforce preparedness in communities throughout the country.