This year, I decided to make a commitment to myself and my community to get more involved in causes that are important to me. According to Forbes, 92% of people who make a New Year’s resolution don’t make it until December 31st. That's why this year, I decided to make a resolution I knew I could keep. I decided to join with the Alzheimer's Association and become a volunteer advocate to speak on behalf of millions of Americans who cannot advocate for themselves.
Alzheimer's has become an epidemic in the United States and the numbers speak for themselves. One in three seniors will die with Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia. It is also the only disease in the top ten causes of death for which no prevention, treatment, or cure exists. More than 5 million Americans suffer from the disease and with the baby boomer generation growing older, that number is expected to rise to 16 million across the country by 2050. The disease not only takes a toll on those who suffer from it, it also impacts those who care for patients as well. Last year, more than 15 million caregivers gave 18 billion hours of unpaid care to loved ones suffering from Alzheimer's and related dementia.
Beyond the physical and emotional toll that this terrible disease takes on individuals and their caregivers, it also takes a massive financial toll on our economy.
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In 2016, caring for people with Alzheimer’s cost the United States an estimated $236 billion. Currently, nearly one in every five Medicare dollars is spent on people with Alzheimer’s, by 2050, that number is expected to rise to one in every three dollars.
My resolve is stronger than ever to beat this disease, and with the help of our leaders in Congress it is possible. The National Institutes of Health has indicated that a federal research investment of $2 billion a year would help make the much needed inroads necessary to finding a cure or something to significantly slow the progression of the disease.
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As a resident in the 2nd Congressional District in Illinois and as an Alzheimer's Association Advocate, I plan to work with Congresswoman Robin Kelly to secure the much needed research dollars so that we can find the first survivor of Alzheimer's.
Millions depend on my resolution to fight back and you can too. To learn more about how to get involved visit www.alz.org/illinois
Gina H.
