The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease: 2024 Update, which serves as a roadmap of strategies to:
- Prevent and treat Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD)
- Enhance care quality and efficiency
- Expand supports for people with ADRD and their families
- Enhance public awareness and engagement
- Improve data to track progress
- Promote healthy aging and reduce risk factors for ADRD
The first plan was created in 2012 and is updated annually by the members of the Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Research, Care, and Services (Advisory Council), which is comprised of both non-federal and federal members.
The 2024 plan update prioritizes supports for people with ADRD and their families and caregivers, who need supports that go beyond the care provided in formal settings such as doctors’ offices, hospitals, or nursing homes. The majority of people with ADRD live in the community, where their families provide most of their care. Supporting people with ADRD and their families and caregivers requires giving them the tools that they need, helping to plan for future needs, and helping to ensure that safety and dignity are maintained.
The ACL-funded NADRC provides expert technical assistance to ACL and its grantees. More than 300 free tools and resources are available on the NADRC webpage, including manuals for program implementation and recordings of their annual webinar series.
You can learn more about the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) and subscribe to the NAPA mailing list by visiting the NAPA webpage.