VOICES: We need Congress to address Alzheimer’s public health crisis

Donna Leer is an Alzheimer’s Association advocate and family caregiver Mason, Ohio (CONTRIBUTED)

Donna Leer is an Alzheimer’s Association advocate and family caregiver Mason, Ohio (CONTRIBUTED)

As a long-time dementia caregiver, I understand fully the impact that Alzheimer’s disease can have on a family.

My husband, Jim, and I are in the 22nd year since his diagnosis of dementia. He was only 55 years old when we found out. Since then, the progression of his dementia has been a daily challenge and changed our lives forever.

As the size of the U.S. population aged 65 and older continues to grow, so too will the number and proportion of Americans with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. It was estimated that 6.7 million Americans were living with Alzheimer’s in 2023. By 2050, that number may grow to a projected 12.7 million, barring the development of medical breakthroughs that can delay, prevent or cure Alzheimer’s disease. Thousands of these are families and friends in Ohio.

The number of Alzheimer’s deaths in the U.S. more than doubled between 2000 and 2021, increasing 141%, according to the Alzheimer’s Association in a new report released this month. CONTRIBUTED

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What can be done about this public health crisis?

I am urging Congress, including Reps. Warren Davidson and Mike Turner and their fellow congressmembers from Ohio, to continue supporting increases in Alzheimer’s and dementia research funding as well as to support the reauthorization of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act and the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act this year. I encourage you to do the same. We should also thank Sen. J. D. Vance and Rep. Greg Landsman for already co-sponsoring these very important bills.

It is more important than ever that we work toward increased funding for research that will impact the lives of those living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. Recent advancements in FDA-approved treatments that are delaying the progression of the disease, give us more hope than ever that research and science are bringing us closer to a cure.

Thankfully, Congress can continue to play an important role in addressing this public health crisis. You, too can play an important role by contacting your local legislators and asking for their support to realize a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.

Donna Leer is an Alzheimer’s Association advocate and family caregiver Mason, Ohio.

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