CVS Health Foundation Supports New Program for Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosis, Disclosure and Education

WOONSOCKET, R.I., Feb. 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The CVS Health Foundation today announced a $550,000 commitment to the Alzheimer's Association to support expanded provider education and diagnosis resources for individuals living with Alzheimer's disease and caregivers through their local chapters across the United States.

"The CVS Health Foundation is proud to support the Alzheimer's Association in its effort to ensure that more people with Alzheimer's are able to comprehend their diagnosis and receive affordable, high-quality care and support," said Eileen Howard Boone, president of the CVS Health Foundation. "By facilitating care consultation interventions when a diagnosis is provided, the Alzheimer's Association is helping to maximize a patient's quality of life, which directly aligns with our company's purpose of helping people on their path to better health."

Effective health care provider outreach and education are essential for helping people with Alzheimer's disease achieve their best quality of life. According to the Alzheimer's Association's 2015 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures report, the number of people living with Alzheimer's is expected to rise from over 5 million today to more than 16 million by 2050. In 2015, Alzheimer's and other dementias cost the nation an estimated $226 billion. By 2050, these costs are expected to rise as high as $1.1 trillion. 

In addition, the report showed that only 45 percent of people with Alzheimer's or their caregivers say they were told the diagnosis by their doctor.  This low diagnosis percentage remains the reality, despite studies finding several benefits - including allowing for better decision-making, medical care and future planning - in clearly explaining a diagnosis of dementia to the affected patient.

"With the support from the CVS Health Foundation, our local chapters can play an even stronger role in educating health care providers on the importance of diagnosing dementia," said Beth Kallmyer, vice president, constituent services, Alzheimer's Association. "By connecting people with the disease and their caregivers with the community resources they need, we believe patients are better positioned to live their best life with the disease."

Alzheimer's Association Chapters with provider relationships will be invited to apply for grants of between $25,000 and $100,000 to implement a one-year health care provider outreach and education strategy and establish or expand an automatic referral process for education and care consultations, with the goal of increasing the number of people in each chapter with access to care and support programs.

About the Alzheimer's Association®

The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all affected, and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's. For more information, visit the Alzheimer's Association at alz.org or call the 24/7 helpline at 800-272-3900.

About CVS Health

CVS Health is a pharmacy innovation company helping people on their path to better health. Through its approximately 9,600 retail pharmacies, more than 1,100 walk-in medical clinics, a leading pharmacy benefits manager with more than 75 million plan members, a dedicated senior pharmacy care business serving more than one million patients per year, and expanding specialty pharmacy services, the Company enables people, businesses and communities to manage health in more affordable and effective ways. This unique integrated model increases access to quality care, delivers better health outcomes and lowers overall health care costs. Find more information about how CVS Health is shaping the future of health at https://www.cvshealth.com.

Contact:
Mary Alfieri
[email protected]
401-770-9811

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SOURCE CVS Health Foundation