The Professional Geriatric Care Manager’s Blog

Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease

Effective February 27, 2010 the Social Security Administration will add the diagnosis of Early Onset Alzheimers, or younger onset Alzheimer’s to it’s list of conditions eligible for it’s Compassionate Allowance Initiatives.  What this means it that those people with the illness are eligible for expedited accesses to Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income.  This means the review period is reduced when determining if the individual is eligible for Social Security Disability Income because he or she is no longer able to work.

This is so important to those suffering from early onset Alzheimer’s Disease because they are frequently denied benefits but then are granted benefits on appeal.  By adding this illness to the list of compassionate allowances the process of applying for benefits is streamlined and expedited.  During this time of emotional and cognitive challenges the disease presents it is very difficult to undergo the the long decision process associated with the application process.

The Alzheimer’s Association website provides access to an important checklist to help you prepare for the application process.  If you have any questions about the process or the documents necessary for the application process the care managers at Distinctive Care are available to assist you with the process.  Additionally we will have information available at our monthly support group meeting.  Please feel free to call our Ridgewood Office at (201) 857-5283 and someone will be happy to provide you with assistance.

This is a really important victory for those with early onset Alzheimer’s and related illnesses and we are happy to have been among those who provided written comments to the Social Security Administration at the request of the Alzheimer’s Association!