WASHINGTON, D.C., January 30, 2020 - The Alzheimer's Association and the Alzheimer's Impact Movement (AIM) are grateful to bipartisan Congressional leaders for including the key elements of the Younger-Onset Alzheimer's Disease Act in the draft reauthorization of the Older Americans Act (OAA) bill. "People living with younger-onset Alzheimer's and other dementia often haven't been eligible for support programs and services available under the OAA because of their young age," said Robert Egge, Alzheimer's Association chief public policy officer and AIM executive director. "The agreement by bipartisan Congressional leaders means that Americans facing this disease will finally have access to needed support services that will improve their lives."
The Alzheimer's Association and AIM championed and grew bipartisan support for the Younger-Onset Alzheimer's Disease Act. The bill was introduced by Reps. Kathleen Rice (D-N.Y.), Pete King (R-N.Y.), David Trone (D-Md.), Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) and Chris Smith (R-N.J.), and Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Bob Casey (D-Penn.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), and Doug Jones (D-Ala.).
Since 1965, the OAA has provided support to America's seniors in their homes and communities by organizing and delivering nutritional programs, in-home services, transportation, legal services, elder-abuse prevention and caregiver support. Yet, only those over the age of 60 are OAA-eligible, leaving Americans living with younger-onset Alzheimer's unable to access the vital OAA-funded programs and services that older Americans rely on. The Supporting Older Americans Act of 2020 - the compromise agreement reauthorizing the OAA - includes the key provisions from the Younger-Onset Alzheimer's Disease Act, including providing access to support services including nutritional services, supportive services, and respite care through the National Family Caregiver Support program. The agreement also extends authorization of the RAISE Family Caregivers Act, and important provisions in the Supporting America's Caregiver & Families Act, two bills also supported by the Alzheimer's Association and AIM.
"On behalf the Alzheimer's and dementia community I want to thank the original cosponsors of the Younger Onset Alzheimer's Disease Act for their leadership to address this gap in critical support and services," said Egge.
The Senate and House are expected to consider the reauthorization of the Supporting Older Americans Act of 2020 in the coming weeks.
