In the News

Congress extends support benefits to Alzheimer's patients under 60

LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — An act by Congress is being called a breakthrough for Alzheimer’s patients.

This week, Congress extended support benefits to patients with Alzheimer’s under 60 years old.

As part of the re-authorization of the Older Americans Act, they included key elements of the Younger-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Act which extends services to all patients.

"Those services include meals on wheels, support services, respite care, but also home community-based services that are extremely crucial for our population,” said Public Policy Manager, David Cook, for the Alzheimer’s Association of Arkansas.

Cook told KATV while they’re pleased with the extension of support programs, it's going to take an act by the state to implement.

"It is going to take Arkansas lawmakers to act, particularly state agencies like the Department of Human Services,” said Cook. “They submit waivers to CMS [Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services] to get new Medicaid waivers for the state. They're going to have to include some of this specific language to ensure that those with younger-onset Alzheimer’s actually receive some of the help and support that they need."

As lawmakers plan to meet next year to work on the fiscal budget, Cook added they remain hopeful that enough funding will be appropriated to seniors.

"Like properly funding senior centers, some of our population depend on them, that may be the only warm meal they get."

This bill was passed with bipartisan effort and sponsored by Arkansas Congressman French Hill and Congressman Steve Womack.

If you know someone suffering from Alzheimer’s or you’re seeking more information, you can call the helpline 24/7 at 1-800-272-3900.