Alzheimer’s Advocacy in Action on Capitol Hill

Assistance Home Care President & Co-Founder Allen Serfas joined Alzheimer’s advocates in Washington, D.C. to support policies that expand access to early Alzheimer’s detection and care.

Bringing the Voice of Families to Capitol Hill

Earlier this week, Assistance Home Care President & Co-Founder Allen Serfas traveled to Washington, D.C. with the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM) to meet with members of Congress and advocate for policies that support individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

For families navigating Alzheimer’s, advocacy may seem far removed from the day-to-day realities of caregiving. Yet many of the resources, treatments, support programs, and healthcare options available today exist because individuals were willing to speak up and champion change.

At Assistance Home Care, we believe supporting families goes beyond providing exceptional care at home. It also means helping create a future where families have greater access to early detection, treatment options, education, and support.

A Promising Breakthrough in Alzheimer’s Detection

One of the key topics discussed during this year’s advocacy meetings was the bipartisan Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act.

The legislation seeks to create a pathway for Medicare coverage of FDA-approved blood biomarker screening tests for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

Why is this important?

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis played a significant role in developing and validating pTau217, a blood biomarker capable of detecting Alzheimer’s-related changes in the brain with remarkable accuracy.

For decades, diagnosing Alzheimer’s often required extensive evaluations after symptoms became noticeable. Emerging blood-based biomarker testing has the potential to identify Alzheimer’s-related changes much earlier in the disease process, sometimes years before symptoms become apparent.

This advancement could provide individuals and families with valuable time to:

• Seek medical guidance and specialist support
• Explore treatment options
• Participate in clinical trials
• Adopt brain-healthy lifestyle habits
• Make financial and legal plans
• Build a support system before a crisis occurs

Simply put, earlier awareness can lead to earlier action.

Scientific Progress Must Be Matched by Access

Research breakthroughs are exciting, but they only make a difference if people can access them.

While blood biomarker testing continues to advance, questions remain about affordability and accessibility for Medicare beneficiaries. Without pathways for coverage, many older adults could face barriers to receiving these promising diagnostic tools.

This is why advocacy efforts like the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement are so important.

Advocates are not asking lawmakers to fund a distant possibility. They are asking policymakers to help ensure that Americans can benefit from scientific advancements that are already changing the future of Alzheimer’s care.

The goal is simple: Detect earlier. Treat earlier. Plan earlier. Improve outcomes.

Why Advocacy Matters to Assistance Home Care

Every day, our Team works alongside individuals and families navigating memory loss, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease.

We see firsthand how overwhelming a diagnosis can feel. We also see how education, support, and proactive planning can help families feel more confident as they navigate the journey ahead.

That is why Assistance Home Care has long supported organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association, the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement, and local community initiatives dedicated to advancing research, education, and caregiver support.

Advocacy is another way we honor our mission of helping individuals remain safe, comfortable, and independent at home while supporting the people who care for them.

How You Can Get Involved

You do not need to travel to Washington, D.C. to make a difference.

Here are a few ways anyone can help advance the fight against Alzheimer’s:

• Learn about Alzheimer’s disease and the importance of early detection
• Support organizations funding research, education, and caregiver resources
• Participate in local awareness events such as the Walk to End Alzheimer’s®
• Share your personal caregiving story with elected officials
• Contact your representatives and encourage support for Alzheimer’s-related legislation
• Talk openly about brain health with your loved ones and healthcare providers

Moving Forward Together

The future of Alzheimer’s care is being shaped by scientific breakthroughs, dedicated researchers, passionate advocates, and families who refuse to give up hope.

As new diagnostic tools and treatment options emerge, it is critical that access keeps pace with innovation.

Assistance Home Care is proud to support advocacy efforts that help ensure families have access to the resources, information, and care they need today while helping build a better future for tomorrow.

Because when it comes to Alzheimer’s disease, every breakthrough matters. Every voice matters. And every family deserves support on the journey.