To the editor:
My husband passed away from Alzheimer’s disease at age 65 six years ago after suffering with dementia for about 15 years.
I had to search for education and care training to provide for him. He was luckier than most with the disease because many older adults do not receiving the benefits of early diagnosis and care planning.
Under Medicare, people can now receive a full cognitive assessment from their doctor, and if found to have Alzheimer’s or another dementia, they can receive comprehensive care planning as well, and the doctors are reimbursed under Medicare. However, fewer than 1% of seniors living with Alzheimer’s receive the care-planning benefit.
Care planning results in a higher quality of life. It allows diagnosed individuals and their caregivers to learn about medical and nonmedical treatments, clinical trials and support services available in the community. Individuals receiving dementia-specific care planning have fewer hospitalizations, fewer emergency room visits, and better medication management, meaning better care and lower health-care costs.
Rep. Greg Pence, R-Ind., has signed on as a co-sponsor for the Improving HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act (H.R. 1873) which will help educate clinicians on care-planning services available under Medicare, including the care planning billing code. This small step can be critical in improving the quality of life for those living with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers.
Diana Dijak
Greenfield
