A recent policy change to the Social Security Administration (SSA) will greatly benefit individuals living with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, marked by symptoms and diagnosis of the disease before the age of sixty-five.
This month, SSA added the diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease to its list of eligible diseases in its Compassionate Allowances Initiative. The addition of the early-onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis enables individuals with the disease to become eligible for SSDI, Social Security Disability Income and receive payments more quickly. Before the addition of the diagnosis, individuals were often denied benefits and endured a long appeal process.

Family members who are dealing with early-onset dementia often face major issues that are not associated with diagnosis at a later age, such as a loss of job due to declining cognitive abilities. For some individuals living with the early-onset type of this disease, SSDI is their main source of income. This change to the SSA will ease the application process for eligible individuals, diagnosed with the early onset form of Alzheimer’s disease and unable to continue with their work.

Senior Living Residences is proud to partner with HBO’s Alzheimer’s Project Coalition in an ambitious grassroots public education campaign to shine a spotlight on Alzheimer’s disease. In an effort to inform the public, spur discussion, and excite individuals to participate in a search for the cure, many of our communities will be airing HBO’s groundbreaking four-part documentary series, The Alzheimer’s Project, for local audiences. Read more…