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Ruth
Gay, Director of Public Policy and Advocacy for the Alzheimer’s
Association will be in Washington, D.C. next week to advocate for
the Alzheimer’s Treatment and Caregiver Support Act moving through
Congress. —Spectrum
photo by Ted Gallagher
Matsui
Supports Alzheimer’s
Relief Bills
By
Michael A. Piekarz
Staff Writer
Sacramento
congressional Representative Doris Matsui, D-Calif., added her
support to the Alzheimer’s Treatment and Caregiver Support
Act (HR 1032) in an effort to expand treatment and support services
for Americans affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
“Millions of Americans suffer from this disease and must rely on their
family members and loved ones for support. They provide comfort and care to the
victims of Alzheimer’s. We, in turn, should give them the tools they need
to ease their burden,” said Matsui.
The Alzheimer’s Treatment and Caregiver Support Act amends existing laws
and would allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to
public and nonprofit private healthcare providers to expand treatment services
for patients with Alzheimer’s and training and support services for families
and caregivers of such patients.
The proposed law was introduced in 2007 by Representative Maxine Waters, D-Calif.,
of Los Angeles in 2007. It has garnered widespread support in Congress and among
Alzheimer’s advocates.
“This legislation addresses the need for education, training, support,
and tangible services to assist those with the disease and their families,” said
Harry Johns, president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association.
Alzheimer’s disease affects more than 5.2 million Americans. The number
is expected to triple by the year 2050. Ten percent of Americans over age 65
and almost half of Americans over age 85 suffer from this disease. It is estimated
that 10 million baby boomers will eventually develop Alzheimer’s.

Seven
out of every 10 Alzheimer’s patients rely on at-home care provided
by family and friends. Among the challenges facing caregivers are assisting patients
with bathing and dressing, managing their finances and making legal decisions.
Nursing home care for Alzheimer’s patients costs an average of $42,000
per year and places additional challenges on family members who want to remain
involved in the lives of their loved one.
“Alzheimer’s disease places tremendous burdens on families,” said
Congresswoman Waters when she introduced the bill. “My legislation will
expand access to training and support services for families and caregivers. As
a result, it will improve the ability of caregivers to provide effective, compassionate
care and allow more people with Alzheimer’s disease to remain in their
homes with the people who love them.”
The Alzheimer’s Treatment and Caregiver Support Act requires that grant
recipients employ a comprehensive approach to care that integrates patient treatment
with training and support services.
“As people are living longer and longer, and more Americans are approaching
an age where they are at risk for developing Alzheimer’s, we need to make
sure that their caregivers can adequately provide them with support. Until we
find a cure for Alzheimer’s, we have a duty to make sure that those who
suffer from the disease as comfortable as they can be,” stated Matsui.
Two earlier bills on the subject, H.R. 3451 and H.R. 3642 did not come to congressional
vote. But that is unlikely to occur with the current legislation. Policymakers
face increasing pressure to provide additional governmental support in the battle
against Alzheimer’s in light of recent reports on the disease and the aging
of the boomer generation.
“Leadership from the top is vital, and an effective plan to stop this emerging
epidemic is necessary to save millions of lives and billions of dollars for the
nation’s healthcare system,” said Johns. “Disease-modifying
treatments are within our grasp, but an immediate and significant increase in
federally-funded Alzheimer research is critical to make Alzheimer’s a thing
of the past.”

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