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Republic of the Philippines Ss

House of Representatives
@urzon City, Metro Manila

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EIGHTEENTH CONG! em
First Regular Session DEX

House Bill No. pee

INTRODUCED BY REP. ALFRED VARGAS

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RECEIVED
OCT 23 200

AN ACT
AUTHORIZING THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH TO
AWARD GRANTS FOR TRAINING AND SUPPORT SERVICES
FOR ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, is a degenerative
brain disease of unknown cause that results in progressive memory loss,
impaired thinking, disorientation, and changes in personality and behavior. All
of which lead to deterioration of cognitive, emotional and physical functions.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), symptoms of Alzheimer's disease
begin to manifest when someone is in their 40s or 50s, while about 5% of
people reaching 65 of age are affected, and 15-25% of people reaching 85 years
old succumb to the disease.

‘The late stage of the disease requires total dependence and inactivity. Hence,
caregivers for Alzheimer's pé experience different levels of stress,
including emotional burdens and psychological distress.

To date, there is no known treatment for Alzheimer's to put a stop to its
progress. This Bill intends to support the quality of life of the patient's families

and caregivers, which will also help improve the patients’ condition while in
their care.

Thus, this Representation secks the immediate passage of this Bill.

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Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatines
Quezon City, Metra Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
. 5213
House Bill No. _ a

INTRODUCED BY REP. ALFRED VARGAS

AN ACT
AUTHORIZING THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH TO
AWARD GRANTS FOR TRAINING AND SUPPORT SERVICES
FOR ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES

Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines
in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the ‘Alzheimer’s
Caregiver Support Act”

SECTION 2. Grants Regarding Training and Support Services for
Alzheimer’s Patients and their Families. -

(a) In General. ~ The Secretary of Health may award grants to public
and non-profit private health care providers for the purpose of expanding
training and support services for families and caregivers of patients with
Alzheimer’s disease.

(b) Recipients of Grants. - The public and non-profit private health care
providers to whom grants may be made include health care organizations,
community health centers, nursing homes, senior centers, community-based
organizations, and national government and local health agencies and social
service agencies.


SECTION 3. Conditions for Grant. -

(a) Integration of Treatment, Training, and Support Services. - The
recipient must agree to employ a comprehensive approach to Alzheimer’s care
that integrates treatment of patients with Alzheimer’s disease with training and
support services for the patients’ families and caregivers.

(b) | Appropriate Cultural Context. - The recipient must agree that in any
program to be funded by such grant, services will be provided in the dialects or
languages most appropriate for, and with consideration for the cultural
backgrounds of the individuals for whom the services are provided.

(c) Outreach Services. - The recipient must agree to provide outreach
activities to inform the public of the services of the program, and to provide
information on Alzheimer's disease.

SECTION 4. Application for Grant. - A grant may be made only if any
application for the grant is submitted to the Secretary of Health and the
application is in such form, is made in such manner, and contains such
agreements, assurances, and information as the Secretary of Health determines
to be necessary to carry out this Act.

SECTION 5. Authorization of Appropriations. - For the purpose of
carrying out this Act, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as
may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2014 through 2019.

SECTION 6. Separability Clause. - If any provision or part hereof, is
held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not
otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or
issuance, executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or
regulation contrary to or is inconsistent with the provision of this Act is hereby
repealed, modified, or amended accordingly.

SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
days after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,