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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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