Have you ever jokingly stated, “I’m losing my mind today, given the press of work deadlines, family issues, the kids’ basketball practices, church commitments, doctor’s appointments, etc.”?
This is a reality for Alzheimer’s patients as they progress through the stages of the disease. Alzheimer’s is ultimately a killer of its victims, and often devastating to its primary caregiver, immediate and extended family members, friends, church and community.
There is no cure or absolute way of preventing Alzheimer’s. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, today there are an estimated 5.4 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease, with approximately 110,000 in Missouri, projected to increase to 130,000 by 2025.
Nationwide in 2011, I was one (assisted by our adult children, Mark and Chelsea) of the 15.2 million family members and friends who provided 17.4 billion hours in unpaid care to individuals with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Our care was valued at more than $210 billion, according to 2012 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures.
In Missouri, I was one caregiver of the 304,000 statewide total.
My husband, David Johnson, was diagnosed with dementia in 1999-2000, and in 2007 diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. For 33 years, he was an engineer managing road and bridge construction, a great husband and father. The final three years of his life, we were nearly devastated physically, mentally, emotionally and financially. With gradual loss of his mental faculties came the loss of our freedom and doing all the things we loved to do. His courageous battle ended April 30, 2012.
While this is my personal story regarding the effect of the Alzheimer’s disease on my family, I am moved by the struggles that current caregivers are facing and future caregivers will face in caring for their loved ones. Because my husband had the tendency to “wander,” and so do other Alzheimer’s patients, it is critical that Missouri legislators support the inclusion of Alzheimer’s specific needs in a wandering and safety bill, namely the Key Silver Alert program.
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Alzheimer’s is not a Democratic or Republican issue — it affects all of us. And this is why I was more encouraged than ever when Congress signaled its recognition of this fact and created and passed, on a unanimous and bipartisan basis, the National Alzheimer’s Project Act. This act prompted the creation of the first National Alzheimer’s Plan for the United States. Additionally, the Senate has prioritized the National Alzheimer’s Plan by including an additional $100 million for research, education, care and support.
It is vitally important that Congress include these resources in fiscal year 2014. Please contact Sen. Roy Blunt today. Ask him to provide the funding necessary to support the National Alzheimer’s Plan through Alzheimer’s research, education, outreach and support activities.
I invite you to become involved with the fight against Alzheimer’s in any capacity of your choice by visiting www.alz.org/greatermissouri[1] or calling 800-272-3900.
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