The "Health Outcomes, Planning, and Education (HOPE) for Alzheimer's Act" (S.738/H.R. 1386) is one of the Alzheimer's Associations top federal priorities for the 112th Congress.

The HOPE for Alzheimer's Act will improve diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and increase access to information, care and support for newly diagnosed individuals and their families - providing essential support for those facing this devastating, debilitating disease.  The HOPE for Alzheimer's Act was reintroduced in the 112th Congress by Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Susan Collins (R-ME) and Representatives Edward Markey (D-Ma) and Chris Smith (R-NJ). 

Although Alzheimer's disease is diagnosed correctly up to 90 percent of the time by physicians with specialized training, as many as half of individuals meeting specific diagnostic for dementia never receive a diagnosis - and some evidence suggests it could be as high as 80 percent.  The absence of a formal diagnosis of Alzheimer's deprives individuals of treatments and services that could help people and families facing Alzheimer's by improving symptoms, prolonging independence, and reducing caregiver stress.  A formal and documented diagnosis opens access to valuable supports and services.

The HOPE for Alzheimer's Act will also provide individuals and their caregivers appropriate information and support to navigate this heartbreaking disease by providing care planning services in the physician's office and information about additional medical and community-based services.  These valuable services help individuals with the disease and their caregivers better manage medications, engage in financial planning, and assess driving and safety issues in advance.

The HOPE for Alzheimer's Act will also ensure the diagnosis is documentation in the person's primary medical record - enabling health care providers to anticipate and prevent potential complications in the management of other conditions (such as heart disease and diabetes) and allowing for care coordination among treating physicians.