Federal Panel Puts Off Dementia Financial Burden Battle

The National Advisory Council on Alzheimer's Research, Care, and Services has sidelined a push to combat dementia, and now is only recommending that the United States try to obtain more information about the impact of dementia-related costs on people and their caregivers, reports Think Advisor . In a recent presentation , the council suggested the U.S. should "develop information about the impact" and "identify approaches to address negative effects." In a related report , the group also suggested someone should acquire "comprehensive, descriptive information" about costs, including out-of-pocket expenses for people who already receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits but are still in the 24-month waiting period that SSDI recipients must endure before they qualify for Medicare. The council also urged researchers to analyze how the financial burden impacts people's quality of life, their access to care that could slow dementia progression, and their ability to participate in clinical trials. The council recommended someone should develop information and educational materials to help people with dementia and their caregivers improve financial decisions and lower their dementia-related out-of-pocket costs and financial burden. The group's sole referral to private insurance is a proposed survey questionnaire draft and a link to an appendix summarizing what insurers told the council about paying for dementia care.