(1) When Alzheimer’s disease occurs in some-
one under the age of 65, it is known as younger- 
onset (or early-onset) Alzheimer’s disease. 
(2) About 5 percent of Americans with Alz-
heimer’s disease, or approximately 250,000 people, 
are living with younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease. 
(3) Individuals with younger-onset Alzheimer’s 
disease primarily show symptoms of the disease be-
ginning in their 50s, but some show signs of the dis-
ease as early as their 30s or 40s. 
(4) For most individuals with younger-onset 
Alzheimer’s disease, the symptoms will closely mirror 
those of other forms of Alzheimer’s disease. 
(5) Those with younger-onset Alzheimer’s dis-
ease may have difficulty obtaining an accurate diag-
nosis because health care providers don’t generally 
look for Alzheimer’s disease in younger people. 
Symptoms are often incorrectly attributed to stress, 
or there may be conflicting diagnoses from different 
health care professionals. 
(6) Those with younger-onset Alzheimer’s dis-
ease may worry about work, retirement, and finan-
cial issues. Their condition may lead them to volun-
tarily quit their job, or their employers may fire 
them before a diagnosis. This premature loss of 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:51 Dec 15, 2016
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6520.IH
H6520
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
work does not trigger the employment disability ac-
commodations that a diagnosed individual would re-
ceive. 
(7) Those with younger-onset Alzheimer’s dis-
ease will suffer from higher levels of stigma because 
Alzheimer’s disease is more often associated with 
older adults. This often adversely impacts family, 
personal, and professional relationships. 
(8) Those with younger-onset Alzheimer’s are 
often supporting young children who are living in 
the home. Many times these children also serve as 
caregivers. 
(9) Those with younger-onset Alzheimer’s dis-
ease may have a working spouse who has to decide 
between continuing to work to support the household 
or leaving the working world to be the primary care-
giver of their loved one living with Alzheimer’s dis-
ease. 
(10) The Older Americans Act of 1965, enacted 
in 1965, authorizes the provision of essential serv-
ices to Americans age 60 or over, with particular at-
tention given to those individuals with low incomes 
or disabilities. 
(11) Services provided under the Act include 
Alzheimer’s disease education, meal delivery, family 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:51 Dec 15, 2016
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H6520.IH
H6520
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS
caregiver support, and supportive services such as 
home care, adult day care, and transportation. 
(12) These services are particularly helpful for 
those with a degenerative disease such as Alz-
heimer’s in which sufferers ultimately require assist-
ance with basic daily tasks. 
(13) These services also provide vital assistance, 
support, and respite to family caregivers and help to 
maintain the independence of the individual living 
with younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease. 
(14) The Older Americans Act 1965 uniquely 
authorizes services that can assist individuals with 
younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease and their families. 
SEC. 3. PARITY FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH YOUNGER-ONSET 
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE. 
Section 102(40) of the Older Americans Act of 1965 
(42 U.S.C. 3002(40)) is amended by inserting before the 
period at the end the following: 
‘‘and includes an individual with Alzheimer’s disease 
or a related disorder with neurological and organic 
brain dysfunction who has not attained 60 years of 
age’’. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:51 Dec 15, 2016
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H6520.IH
H6520
SSpencer on DSK4SPTVN1PROD with BILLS