Engel Looks to Improve Patient Care for Alzheimer's

Congressman Eliot Engel, a top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, recently attended a roundtable on Alzheimer's research hosted by Burke Rehabilitation Hospital and the Alzheimer's Association. Engel detailed his efforts to improve care for patients with Alzheimer's disease through his Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act and his longtime support for robust medical research funding.

Thanks to funding from the National Institutes of Health, Burke is conducting a clinical trial examining whether a certain dietary supplement helps to mitigate cognitive decline in adults with Alzheimer's disease.

"I am so proud to see this kind of pioneering research happening in Westchester County, and want to applaud the researchers here today for their hard work and vision," said Engel. "I know we are all excited to see what you learn, and how it will advance our shared goal of improving care for those living with Alzheimer's disease."

"On behalf of the more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer's disease, and the more than 16 million others providing care, I want to thank Congressman Engel for his continued support of policies that improve the lives of all those affected by the disease," added David Sobel, president and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association Hudson Valley Chapter. "The recent funding increases will allow critical Alzheimer's and dementia research to advance, and the Palliative Care Hospice Education and Training Act, which continues to grow bipartisan support, is important legislation that will help to ensure more Americans have access to this high-quality care."

Engel also discussed his Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act, a bill he introduced that aims to ensure there is a well-trained palliative and hospice care workforce available to care for patients. The bill creates needed training programs for health professionals and directs NIH to expand research on these types of care and how delivery could be improved for patients. All of this is critical for people living with Alzheimer's disease, as evidence indicates that nursing home residents with dementia who do get proper palliative care are less likely to be hospitalized in the last month of life, and are less likely to pass away in the hospital, according to Engel.

The Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act, which has been endorsed by the Alzheimer's Association, has garnered more than 260 bipartisan cosponsors ? more than half of the House of Representatives ? and has been considered during a hearing in the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Health Subcommittee.

"Most of us, sadly, have known a loved one who has faced a serious or life-threatening illness, and can attest to the confusion and stress those situations bring," said Engel. "It's clear that there is a will to take better care of patients living with serious diseases, like Alzheimer's, and I promise to do everything I can to move this bill forward and improve the quality of life for those living with Alzheimer's and their families."