Browse Publications
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Brochure, ReportThe Silver Book: Chronic Disease and Medical Innovation--Neurological Disease
November 2009
Related topics: Aging Research Alzheimer's Disease Caregiving Health Parkinson's Disease ResearchThe first volume of The Silver Book was launched in 2006 and has quickly become a trusted resource for health policy practitioners. The Silver Book®: Neurological Disease is the latest volume in this important collection. Each section in the volume includes charts, statistics, and key findings that together paint a comprehensive picture of the burden of neurological disease, focusing on Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, and the tremendous potential of innovation. Much of the data focuses on the older population. -
Alliance ViewsBattling Health Disparities: Closing the Gaps
Summer 2009
Related topics: Alzheimer's Disease Caregiving Health Osteoporosis Quality of Care Women's HealthThanks to enormous advances in public health and exciting breakthroughs in medical innovation, over the past century Americans have seen dramatic gains in health and longevity. The United States currently spends more on health care than any other nation and for most people, this means access to one of the best health care systems in the world. Unfortunately, it doesn’t benefit all people equally and the reality is that most minorities have less access to care, fewer options for prevention and treatment, and higher rates of disease and illness. -
Feature ArticleNavigating Health Care Transitions: Tools for Information Sharing
At some point in our lives, most of us will face an illness where we have to deal with many different health care professionals—often spread out in different locations and settings across the health care system. Our primary physician may refer us to a specialist, or we may have an emergency that sends us to the ER and later requires that we be admitted to the hospital or see our primary physician for follow-up. We may even have to move from the hospital to a rehabilitation or long-term care facility. -
Press Release2009 Task Force on Aging Research Funding
May 2009
Related topics: Aging Research Alzheimer's Disease Arthritis Brain Health Cancer Cardiovascular Disease Caregiving Diabetes Federal Funding Geriatric Training Health Incontinence Medical Innovation Men's Health Mental Health Osteoporosis Other Diseases of Aging Parkinson's Disease Persistent Pain Research Stroke Vision Loss Women's HealthMore than 65 disease groups, not-for-profit patient advocacy organizations, and foundations urge Congress and President Obama to restore a national commitment to medical research on behalf of America’s aging population. In a report released today, the 2009 Task Force on Aging Research Funding calls for at least a 7% increase in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in fiscal year (FY) 2010 to halt the erosion of the nation’s research base and facilitate medical discoveries to fight diseases and disabilities that disproportionately affect older Americans.
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Report2009 Task Force on Aging Research Funding
May 2009
Related topics: Aging Research Alzheimer's Disease Arthritis Brain Health Cancer Cardiovascular Disease Caregiving Diabetes Federal Funding Geriatric Training Health Incontinence Medical Innovation Men's Health Mental Health Osteoporosis Other Diseases of Aging Parkinson's Disease Persistent Pain Policy Research Stroke Vision Loss Women's HealthThe 2009 Task Force on Aging Research Funding--more than 65 non-partisan disease groups, patient advocates, and foundations--urges Congress and the President to restore a national commitment to medical research on behalf of America's aging population. This year's report of the Task Force calls for a at least a 7% increase in funding for the National Institutes of Health in FY 2010. It also presents data on the burden of diseases and conditions that predominately affect older Americans, highlights the emerging research the NIH is doing to decrease these burdens, and serves as a resource for policymakers working to establish the funding levels necessary to advance healthy aging. -
BrochureLiving with Alzheimer's Booklet
This booklet is part of the larger Living with Alzheimer’s: Personal Health Organizer. It provides detailed information to guide you through using the worksheets, tips on finding help in your community, and a list of resources for more information. -
BrochureLiving with Alzheimer's Worksheets
These worksheets are part of the larger Living with Alzheimer’s: Personal Health Organizer. They are designed to help you record important information throughout your diagnosis. -
BrochureLiving with Alzheimer's: Personal Health Organizer
This 3-ring, hardcover binder includes the necessary tools you need to sort through all the Alzheimer's information you come across and keep track of only that which is relevant to you. Since no one experiences Alzheimer’s in the exact same way, your binder can be organized in a way that best fits your needs. This binder is designed to help the person who has just been diagnosed, but many of the worksheets can be used together with family members or by caregivers of those who are in later stages of the disease. -
Get Mad ColumnInvesting for Falls Prevention
Falls are a menace to older adults and our overstrained health care system. The direct medical costs of falls among older adults now total more than $19 billion, most of which must be absorbed by Medicare and Medicaid. A new bill recently passed by Congress seeks to address the problem of falls, but will have little impact without adequate funding. -
Feature ArticleHelping Alzheimer's Caregivers Take Care of Their Own Health
The role of caregiver for a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease can be a stressful one. Caring for someone with a memory-related disease is more stressful than helping someone with a physical injury. Due to the demands of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s, caregivers tend to neglect their own health care and well-being. One study shows that up to 47 percent of family caregivers experience depression, but with the right resources, caregivers can successfully balance their time and provide the care their loved ones need. -
DocumentKey Phone Numbers Worksheet
A support network can help you accomplish your tasks as a caregiver by offering physical and emotional assistance. Look for support through family, friends, and the community. Use this worksheet to record these key contacts as well as those from your loved one's health care team. -
DocumentClinical Trial Worksheet
While there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, there are drugs that may improve or stabilize symptoms. New drugs are also under development that offer hope for Alzheimer's patients, and clinical trials test whether these treatments are safe and effective. If you haven't already, you may want to consider enrolling your loved one in a clinical trial. This worksheet is a log that can help you keep track of clinical trials that you find. -
DocumentFinancial & Legal Checklist
By starting the financial and legal planning process now, you can make sure that your loved one is cared for as their disease progresses. It's important for you to start this process early, because Alzheimer's disease will gradually make it harder for your loved one to participate in planning. Use this checklist to get you started. -
DocumentMy Personal Schedule Worksheet
As Alzheimer's disease progresses, your loved one will need more and more care. While you may feel that you don't have time to think about yourself, it is important to remember your own health and well-being. By exercising, thinking about your health, and giving yourself time to relax, you will stay healthier and be able to spend more time with your loved one. Use this log to keep track of health care appointments, your exercise schedule, social engagements, etc. -
DocumentMedication List Worksheet
Your loved one may take many medications for Alzheimer's disease and other health conditions. Keeping track of them helps the health care team make sure the medications are working well together, and find possible drug interactions. You can use this medication list worksheet to keep all of the information about your loved one's medications in one place. -
DocumentHealth Care Appointment Worksheet
Taking your loved one to health care appointments may become difficult at times. If you prepare for appointments by writing down questions and scheduling the appointments at a good time for your loved one, you can make sure that the appointment goes as smoothly as possible. Use this worksheet to record information about the appointment so that it's all in one place. -
DocumentHealth Journal Worksheet
It's useful to keep a health journal so you can ensure that your loved one's health care team is able to provide the best care possible. By keeping track of day-to-day health information that only you may observe, you can provide valuable information to your loved one's health care team. A journal also makes it easy to record information about Alzheimer's disease and other conditions your loved one may have, so you can make the most of your time at appointments and be sure not to forget anything. -
BrochureAlzheimer's Disease: Helping Yourself Help a Loved One - Caregiver Workbook
This caregiver workbook provides the information, resources, and tools that caregivers need to develop personalized action plans and to take better care of their loved ones and themselves. The workbook includes worksheets, checklists, and other tools on important issues such as making your home safe, dealing with financial planning, and keeping a health journal. -
BrochureAlzheimer's Disease: Helping Yourself Help a Loved One - Caregiver Resources
As a family caregiver of someone with Alzheimer's, you have a lot on your plate. There's so much to learn about, so much to plan, and so much to worry about. This guide provides some of the many resources that can help you take care of your loved one, as well as yourself. -
BrochureAlzheimer's Disease: Helping Yourself Help a Loved One - Leader's Guide
This leader's guide helps facilitate a workshop to educate family caregivers on how to best care for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease while also taking care of themselves. This is an updated version of the Leader's Guide and includes the latest information on treatments and research. -
BrochureAlzheimer's Disease: Helping Yourself Help a Loved One - Workshop Kit
This kit includes all of the resources necessary to conduct a workshop for caregivers of those recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. It is an updated version of the Alliance's award-winning kit from 2006 and includes additional information on treatment and research, as well as a brand new caregiver workbook. -
Alliance in the NewsCrisis of age requires cure
April 5, 2008 | Financial Times
Related topics: Aging Research Caregiving Geriatric Training Quality of Care"Funding geriatric medicine is just one area where philanthropy can make a big difference. To achieve wider impact, however, ageing needs to move from an orphan to a mainstream issue. More big funders also need to emerge as Atlantic and Reynolds are limited-life foundations, spending themselves out of business."
“The population numbers clearly point to older patients dominating the healthcare delivery in the US and most of the developed world but we have been rather phobic about geriatrics, geriatric medicine and ageing,” says Daniel Perry, executive director of the Alliance for Aging Research.
Read the Story -
Press ReleaseNew Tools Boost Alzheimer's Awareness
With the aging of the population, experts warn that Alzheimer’s disease
will reach epidemic proportions by mid-century, creating massive and unsustainable burdens
in terms of health care costs, overwhelmed families, and millions of lives tragically lost to a
devastating disease. -
Get Mad ColumnCaring for Caregivers
Chronic illness takes its toll in many ways, including decreased quality of life and increased mortality. But while the suffering of patients is well known, the effect such illness has on caregivers can be just as crippling, and even deadly. -
Report2007 Task Force Report on Aging Research Funding
April 2007 | Alliance for Aging Research
Related topics: Aging Research Alzheimer's Disease Arthritis Cancer Cardiovascular Disease Caregiving Diabetes Federal Funding Geriatric Training Health Incontinence Medical Innovation Men's Health Mental Health Osteoporosis Other Diseases of Aging Parkinson's Disease Persistent Pain Prevention Stroke Vision Loss Women's HealthThe 2007 Task Force on Aging Research Funding--more than 85 non-partisan disease groups, patient advocates, and foundations--urges Congress and the President to chart a better course for medical research on behalf of America's aging population. This year's report of the Task Force calls for a 6.7% increase in funding for the National Institutes of Health in FY 2008. It also presents data on the burden of 27 diseases and conditions that predominately affect older Americans, highlights some of the exciting work the NIH is doing to decrease these burdens, and serves as a resource for policymakers working to establish the funding levels necessary to advance healthy aging. -
Press ReleaseAlliance Unveils Resource For Family Caregivers Of Alzheimer's Patients
The Alliance for Aging Research has partnered with the National Family Caregivers Association to develop a new resource to educate family caregivers on how to care for themselves while caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's. The resource kit is funded by a grant from MetLife Foundation and includes a leader's guide and DVD to assist community groups in hosting workshops for family caregivers.> -
BrochureLa Enfermedad de Alzheimer: Ayudandote a Ayudar a un Ser Querido - Guia para Quienes Cuidan a Personas con la Enfermedad de Alzheimer
Como familiar y persona encargada de cuidar a alguien con la enfermedad de Alzheimer, tienes demasiadas tareas y mucho que hadar. Hay tanto por aprender, tantas cosas que planear, tantas preocupaciones. Por eso necesitas leer esta guia, no solamente por la persona a quien cuidas, si no ademas por ti mismo. You may also purchase this as part of the larger Alzheimer's Disease Workshop Kit. -
BrochureAlzheimer's Disease: Helping Yourself Help a Loved One - Leader's Guide
October 2006 | Alliance for Aging Research
Related topics: Alzheimer's Disease Caregiving Health Women's HealthThis leader's guide helps facilitate a workshop to educe family caregivers on how to best care for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease while effectively taking care of their own needs. This guide will provide guidance to leaders (healthcare leaders, community outreach coordinators, etc.) for conducting the workshop. -
BrochureAlzheimer's Disease: Helping Yourself Help a Loved One - Resources for Caregivers
October 2006 | Alliance for Aging Research
Related topics: Alzheimer's Disease Caregiving Health Women's HealthAs a family caregiver of someone with Alzheimer's disease, you have a lot on your plate. There's so much to learn about, so much to plan, so much to worry about. But you need to read this guide--not only for the person you're caring for, but for yourself. You may also purchase this as part of the larger Alzheimer's Disease Workshop Kit. -
BrochureAlzheimer's Disease: Helping Yourself Help a Loved One - Financial Checklist
October 2006 | Alliance for Aging Research
Related topics: Alzheimer's Disease Caregiving Women's HealthAlzheimer's disease interferes with many daily life functions, including financial tasks. This can be frustrating for the person with Alzheimer's, and can have both short-term and long-term ramifications. This checklist will help you ensure that your loved one's financial matters are in check. You may also purchase this as part of the larger Alzheimer's Disease Workshop Kit. -
Press ReleaseCaregivers Can Impact Disease Outcomes for Colon Cancer Patients
New research shows that colon cancer patients who are 65 and older may benefit from a caregivers involvement, and that caregivers may ultimately have a major impact on the patient’s disease management according to a survey of oncologists commissioned by the Alliance for Aging Research. Crossing Jordan star, Miguel Ferrer, who lost his father José Ferrer to colon cancer, is partnering with the Alliance for Aging Research to help educate colon cancer patients and caregivers about the importance of active involvement in the treatment of the disease. -
DocumentColon Cancer - Caring for the Aging:
Key Survey Findings
The Alliance commissioned a survey, conducted by Harris Interactive, that interviewed oncologists on the importance of caregivers for elderly colon cancer patients. 77% of physicians interviewed agreed that colon cancer patients 65 and older experience better disease outcomes when a caregiver is involved because of better communication. 81% also said that they depend on caregivers at least somewhat, and some a great deal, to act as an intermediary between them and the elderly patients. 100% fell the caregiver is part of a team involved in the patient's disease management.
The physicians felt that the primary roles of the caregivers are to provide emotional support, participate in doctor's visits and in disease management decisions, and to provide transportation to and from doctor's appointments. Unfortunately, only around three out of five colon cancer patients age 65 and older have the support of a caregiver. -
Fact SheetColon Cancer:
Tips for Patients and Caregivers
Caregivers play an important role in ensuring that colon cancer patients age 65 and older receive the best possible care. One of the many important roles that a caregiver plays in treatment is facilitating communication with doctors and making sure the right questions get asked. Both caregivers and patients should read this Tip Sheet and take a proactive role in disease management. -
Feature ArticleCaregiver Involvement Leads to Better Cancer Outcomes
Those who have been diagnosed with colon cancer will tell you that the support of friends and relatives is invaluable. -
BrochureHow to Talk to Your Elderly Parent About Depression:
A Guide for Caregivers
Depression in older adults is often dismissed as inevitable or a "normal" part of aging, when in fact depression is a treatable medical illness. This brochure outlines the signs of depression in older adults, offers advice on how to approach an older person if you notice these signs, and provides places to get more information. -
DocumentDealing with a Parent's Depression
This article shares the story of an older woman and her struggle with depression. -
Get Mad ColumnRespect Your Elders
We see them sometimes on the evening news-stories about another scam targeting the elderly or the discovery of an employee physically abusing residents of a long-term care facility. -
Get Mad ColumnDemand Better Training for Your Healthcare Provider!
Americans over the age of 65 represent over one-half of physician visits annually, yet only a small percent of healthcare professionals actually have specific training to appropriately care for this population. -
Get Mad ColumnLost Independence: A Costly Problem You Can Avoid
Imagine what it must be like to move to a nursing home. -
ReportSeven Deadly Myths:
Uncovering the Facts About the High Cost of the Last Year of Life
This report tests some of the most common myths surrounding the financial and medical impact of end-of-life care, separating fact from fiction to show what really happens for most people during their last years of life.