Alzheimer's Foundation of America
The Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) is an American nonprofit organization based in New York City whose mission is to provide support, services and education to individuals, families and caregivers affected by Alzheimer's disease and related dementias nationwide, and fund research for better treatment and a cure. AFA unites more than 2,000 member organizations from coast-to-coast that are dedicated to meeting the educational, social, emotional and practical needs of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses, and their caregivers and families. Member organizations include grassroots Alzheimer's agencies, senior centers , adult daycare center, home healthcare agencies, long-term care residences, research facilities, and other dementia-related groups. AFA holds Charity Navigator's highest rating of 4 stars. Disease background. Experts believe that an estimated 5.5 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease. The number of people with Alzheimer's disease doubles for every 5-year interval beyond age 65. The Centers for Disease Control issued a report in 2017 showing that Alzheimer's-related deaths increased by 54.5% between 1999 and 2014. Unless the disease can be effectively treated or prevented, the number of Americans with Alzheimer's disease will increase significantly ; projections are that as many as 13.8 million Americans ages 65 and over will be affected by the year 2050. On January 4, 2011, President Barack Obama signed into law the National Alzheimer's Project Act (NAPA), requiring the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish the National Alzheimer's Project to, in part, create and maintain an integrated national plan to overcome Alzheimer's disease; and accelerate the development of treatments that would prevent, halt or reverse the course of Alzheimer's disease. In May 2012, HHS released its "National Plan to Address  Alzheimer's Disease". Leadership. The Alzheimer's Foundation of America was founded by Bert E. Brodsky after his experiences serving as a caregiver for his mother, Anne, who lived with Alzheimer's disease from 1980-92. He felt at that time there was little information available and nowhere to turn to for help and founded AFA with the goal of ensuring no other family living with Alzheimer's disease would have to go through the journey alone. The Alzheimer's Foundation of America's current President & Chief Executive Officer is Charles J. Fuschillo Jr. Programs and services. The Alzheimer's  Foundation of America's core programs/services include: Research and grants. AFA provides grant funding to support research toward a cure and/or better treatment for Alzheimer's disease. AFA also awards grants to its member organizations to support services in local communities. Publications. The Alzheimer's Foundation of America publishes: The Alzheimer's Foundation of America also published a children's book, "Dancing With Granddad: An Alzheimer's Story for Children and Their Families" as an educational resource that adults can use to talk to a young child about Alzheimer's disease. Collaborations. The Alzheimer's Foundation of America is  a member of Leaders Engaged on Alzheimer's Disease (LEAD), and an Executive Committee Organization of Friends of the National Institute on Aging.