More than 6 million people are living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). According to the CDC, 4 out of 5 persons living with ADRD are receiving care in their homes. It is estimated that each year more than 17 billion hours of unpaid care is provided by family members, friends and caregivers for adults living with ADRD.
In a pivotal effort to address this increasing burden, the National Institute on Aging (NIA) hosts a research summit every three years on care services and support for persons living with dementia and their caregivers and care partners. Julie Zissimopoulos, who co-directs the Aging and Cognition research program at the Schaeffer Center and 2 NIH-funded center grants focused on Alzheimer’s disease, will co-chair the 2023 summit alongside Dr. Andrea Gilmore-Byvoski of the University of Wisconsin.
“The summit is the foremost meeting to advance thought leadership and research into critical scientific priorities for Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias,” said Zissimopoulos, who has been involved in previous summits.
The summit provides coordinated planning efforts that respond to the national plan to address Alzheimer’s Disease and an opportunity for individuals to share perspectives about critical scientific gaps and opportunities for research with input from the research community, persons living with dementia (PLWD) and their care partners, those who provide healthcare or services and supports to persons living with dementia, and other stakeholders. The information gathered at this summit informs the NIA milestones to address the national plan.
The summit comprises eight different sessions on topics, including:
- Impact of detection and diagnosis of ADRD on individuals and care partners
- Dementia care models and coordination of care
- Disparities in healthcare access, utilization, and quality
- Economic Impacts, Implications, and Approaches
Over 1000 participants are expected to attend the summit. It will be held virtually on March 20-22, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern) each day. More information about the summit is available here.