An epidemic that needs attention
Dear Editor:
Your readers need to be aware of the vital need for federal funding to combat our country’s growing Alzheimer’s disease epidemic. As a volunteer ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Association, I am proud to support the work that the Association does to battle Alzheimer’s disease and advocate for the advancement of research and support for caregivers.
The number of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s continues to mount. The costs for Alzheimer's care and services continue to rise, straining our already overburdened health-care system and threatening to bankrupt Medicare and Medicaid. Over half a million people in New Jersey are living with Alzheimer’s disease or are caring for someone with dementia. My own father is experiencing the cognitive decline of Alzheimer's disease. My father had a vibrant, full life, raising six children and donating his time to community endeavors while pursuing his career.
In his retirement, he enjoyed spending time in the yard, trimming the trees that he loved, maintaining the home he shared with my mother and spending precious time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. However, after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, this lifestyle dramatically changed and he required tremendous support from all of us, and now he is losing the battle. He doesn’t always recognize us, and we can no longer care for him at home. This will be our first holiday season without him at home. It is incredibly difficult.
Congress must act now to commit the necessary resources to change the trajectory of the disease. The Appropriations Committees of both houses must pass the Senate Labor-HHS funding bill, which includes an additional $100 million for research, education, outreach, and support services in its budget for Fiscal Year 2014.
It is vitally important that the final budget passed by Congress includes these resources.
I call upon residents of New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District to take action! Please contact Representative Rodney Frelinghuysen today. Ask him to advocate for the funding necessary to support the National Alzheimer’s Plan through Alzheimer’s research, education, outreach, and support activities. Visit alz.org/napa to learn how to become involved in the fight against Alzheimer’s.
Sara Magee,
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