Surveys and Reports
AFA-Sponsored Surveys
Alzheimer’s Caregivers: Behavioral vs. Cognitive Challenges
Caregivers of family or friends with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia reflect on how behavioral symptoms—irritability, anxiety, aggression, etc.—compare to cognitive symptoms—memory loss, confusion, etc.—in their impact on diagnosis, disease management, caregivers’ well-being and other issues.
Click here to download the survey results.
Investigating Caregivers' Attitudes and Needs (ICAN 3): Life of a Sandwich Generation Caregiver
Most “sandwich caregivers” – the parents or guardians of children under 21 who also care for an aging parent, other relative or friend with Alzheimer’s disease – say their children are assisting with caregiving responsibilities that range from attending doctors’ appointments to feeding and dressing their loved ones.
Click here to download the survey results.
Investigating Caregivers' Attitudes and Needs (ICAN2)
African-American and Hispanic caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease are significantly more likely than caregivers of other races to consider the disease a normal part of the aging process and dismiss its symptoms as part of getting older. This gap in understanding sheds light on the reasons for delay in diagnosis and treatment, which is an unnecessary setback for caregivers and individuals with the disease alike.
Click here to download the survey results.
Investigating Caregivers' Attitudes and Needs (ICAN)
Concern about stigma and denial of symptoms can delay a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease by more than two years (28.7 months) on average after symptoms appear.
Click here to download the survey results.
Memory Screenings: Who Attends and Why
A MetLife Mature Market Institute study of people who attended voluntary memory screening during National Memory Screening Program in 2006 shows 73 percent have memory concerns, though many may be reluctant to discuss them with others, even their physician.
Click here to download the survey results.
Reports
Improving Dementia Care: The role of screening and the detection of cognitive impairment
In November 2011, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America and the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation convened a workgroup of experts on dementia care, screening and policy to review evidence for cognitive screening implementation and to evaluate the implications of routine dementia detection for health care redesign. The workgroup’s subsequent report includes recommendations to advance new policy goals of early detection as a first step in “improving clinical care and ensuring proactive, patient-centered management of dementia.”
Click here to read the report*.
Memory Matters
This AFA white paper examines screening approaches to increase early detection and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other memory problems, and lays out national policy recommendations on dementia screening.
Click here to read the report
*‘Improving Dementia Care: The role of screening and detection of cognitive impairment,’ Borson, S. et al, 2012, appeared in Alzheimer’s & Dementia published by Elsevier. Access to the article is furnished to readers for non-commercial research and educational use, including for instruction at and sharing with colleagues. Other uses, including reproduction and distribution, or selling or licensing copies, or posting to personal, institutional or third party websites are prohibited.
