HOPE to #ENDALZ

Alzheimer’s disease happens to be the sixth leading cause of death in Illinois in the United States because it cannot be prevented, cured, or even slowed. It is because of this fact that Alzheimer’s is the most expensive disease to care for, having cost Medicare and Medicaid a combined $214 billion in 2014.

There are 210,000 people living with the fatal disease of Alzheimer’s in Illinois.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2015 Facts and Figures Report, only 45% of individuals reported receiving an official diagnosis. What I found most alarming is that someone with cancer reported receiving a diagnosis 93% of the time. This is a main reason Congress must pass the Health Outcomes, Planning, and Education (HOPE) for Alzheimer’s Act. Individuals are not receiving the care and support they need because doctors aren’t providing an official diagnosis 65% of the time! If they do provide a diagnosis there aren’t any resources provided on where to turn next.

Please, Congressman Gutierrez, co-sponsor the HOPE Act so future generations don’t ever have to experience the feeling of not knowing where to turn at a dark and lonely time.

Doug Adolph

Chicago