While all eyes have been focused on COVID-19, Congress and the administration just tackled another serious issue — reauthorization of the Older Americans Act.
Despite the name, this legislation brings with it welcome support for an important but often overlooked group: younger people living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. By incorporating the key elements of the bipartisan Younger-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Act into this legislation, Congress has ensured that support and services are available to all vulnerable dementia patients regardless of age.
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Since 1965, the Older Americans Act has provided support to seniors, organizing and delivering nutritional programs, in-home services, transportation, legal services, elder abuse prevention, and caregiver support. Unfortunately, these services have previously only been available to those over the age of 60.
In the eyes of many, Alzheimer’s is a disease that afflicts grandfathers, grandmothers, and other elderly relatives. They expect dementia to set in late in life, the sadness of watching the yearslong process of losing a loved one to these diseases consoled by the knowledge that this is only the final chapter of a life well lived. But the reality is that many do not get that much time before the disease strikes.
Sadly, more people are being diagnosed with this devastating disease as early as in their 50s, 40s, or even 30s. In fact, there are an estimated quarter-million people diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer’s despite being in the prime of their lives, a somber reminder that Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia do not discriminate.
Tremendous gains have been made in understanding the biology underlying Alzheimer’s disease, and there’s growing evidence that lifestyle interventions may slow cognitive decline and reduce the risk of developing dementia. But Alzheimer’s remains a mystery, as we still do not have a cure for this devastating disease.
The Supporting Older Americans Act of 2020, the compromise agreement reauthorizing the Older Americans Act, includes the key provisions from the Younger-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Act that will ensure support for all living with Alzheimer’s.
A bipartisan group in both houses of Congress — Sens. Susan Collins and Bob Casey and Reps. Kathleen Rice and Pete King — ensured that the key elements of this legislation were included. Endorsed by the Alzheimer’s Association and the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement, this law will allow everyone living with younger-onset Alzheimer’s access to important resources such as supportive services and respite care through the National Family Caregiver Support Program.
These services and resources were previously only available to those over age 60, despite the growing number who are diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s well before this age. It also extends authorization of the RAISE Family Caregivers Act and important provisions in the Supporting America’s Caregiver and Families Act.
With the passage of the Supporting Older Americans Act of 2020, we can build upon the additional $350 million in Alzheimer’s research funding that was signed into law at the end of 2019. This will make a real difference in the lives of those living with younger-onset Alzheimer’s, ensuring they finally have access to needed support services that will improve their lives.
Regardless of age, Alzheimer’s and other dementias pose unimaginable physical, emotional, and financial challenges. We can and must do better, and this important bipartisan action is an important step in doing just that.
Robert Egge is chief public policy officer of the Alzheimer’s Association and executive director of the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement.
