ASK THE EXPERT ON ALZHEIMER’S CARE
Eric J. Hall has a history of accomplishments. Most recently, Eric served as founding President and CEO for the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA), a leading national nonprofit organization headquartered in New York City. AFA’s primary goal is to improve the quality of care for individuals and their families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
Serving as AFA’s President and CEO, Eric’s vision and leadership united more than 1,600 member organizations and associate member organizations from coast-to-coast in the United States. These efforts have united the organizations to speak as one voice and advocate for optimal care and enhanced local support services.
Eric maintains a strong pulse on the current and future needs of the Alzheimer’s population. As established by the National Alzheimer’s Project Act, in August 2011 Eric was appointed to sit on the Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Research, Care and Services. This council is tasked with providing the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services with input into government efforts to prevent and treat the disease as well as create a national strategy for defeating Alzheimer’s disease. The recommendations submitted by Eric and the AFA are reflected in one-third of the content.
READ MORE ABOUT THE NATIONAL ALZHEIMER’S PROJECT ACT
Eric has captured the attention of the White House, Congress, state legislators and other government officials. He has advocated the importance of early detection of Alzheimer’s disease and the vital role of family caregivers in the healthcare continuum. His efforts and those of his staff resulted in significant legislation, including provisions in the new healthcare reform law that call for detection of cognitive impairment in the Medicare annual wellness physical.
Among his numerous groundbreaking accomplishments to change the face of care in the United States, Eric introduced the nation’s first Alzheimer’s disease telethon, Together for Care, on December 4, 2010. The star-studded telethon highlighted the urgency of the need for care and cure; with host Al Roker of the “Today” show, the telecast aired on local NBC stations in 16 markets and was telecast nationally online.