news

In recognition of Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12), in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Michigan Chapter and Michigan Great Lakes Chapter, today convened a roundtable discussion with patients, caregivers and key advocates in the fight to end Alzheimer’s. The discussion focused on policy and community solutions that are needed to better support patients and caregivers and confront the growing challenge of Alzheimer’s disease, which now impacts one in nine older Americans and one-third of Americans over the age of 85. 

“We had a real and honest conversation today about the enormous challenges facing patients and caregivers of those diagnosed with Alzheimer's,” said Dingell. “Too many face terrifying obstacles – from the cost of care to the struggle to find caregivers and trained staff at facilities, to the lack of research for discovering cures for this awful disease. As our population ages, the absence of cohesive policies is a serious problem and is only going to grow worse. Continuing on this same path is unacceptable and we need to demand Congress start to address Alzheimer's and other long-term care issues.”

“More than 180,000 people in Michigan are facing Alzheimer's disease and more than 500,000 additional people are care giving for their loved ones with the disease,” said Jennifer D. Lepard, President and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association Greater Michigan Chapter. “It is vitally important that the community continue to discuss Alzheimer's as our population ages and more people face the associated challenges. Congresswoman Dingell is a strong advocate of seeking solutions to these challenges we face as a community and we thank her convening this discussion today.”

One of Dingell’s top priorities in Congress is bringing the country’s long-term care system into the 21st century, and Alzheimer’s research and treatment is a major piece of the puzzle. Alzheimer’s patients require more hands-on care than other patients, with studies showing that 43 percent of Alzheimer’s patients require care for at least 4 years, while only 33 percent of patients with other conditions require care for this long of a time. Dingell is working to improve the long-term care system in the U.S. so patients can get treatment in a setting they prefer from a qualified, trained professional.  

Dingell is also a cosponsor of H.R. 1559, The HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act, which would provide Medicare coverage for planning services following a diagnosis of dementia, and H.R. 5073, the EUREKA Act, which would create incentives for finding treatments to prevent, alleviate or cure Alzheimer’s.