June was Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, and it is important to remember that Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, and the only one in the top 10 in America that cannot be prevented, cured or slowed.

It is the most expensive disease in our country, with current costs reaching $226 billion annually. We have asked both the House and the Senate for an additional $300 million in Alzheimer’s research funding to the National Institute of Health.

I’d like to thank U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree for her support of increased funding for Alzheimer’s research as well as her co-sponsorship of H.R. 1559 – Health Outcomes, Planning and Education for Alzheimer’s Act of 2015. This important legislation would:

• Provide Medicare coverage for comprehensive care planning services to people newly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. These services would be available to both the diagnosed individual and his/her caregiver.

• Ensure that documentation of a dementia diagnosis and any care planning provided is included in an individual’s medical record.

• Require the federal Department of Health and Human Services to educate providers about the new benefit and to identify any barriers individuals face in accessing care planning.

Maine has the highest median age in the country, at 44.2 years. The age cohort of 65 to 74, where we start to see increased incidence of Alzheimer’s and other dementias, is expected to increase 77 percent by 2020.

Please help us raise awareness of this public health crisis by pledging your support for our cause. Sign on to www.alzadvocacy.org and become an advocate and take action in our community.

The Maine Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association serves the entire state of Maine: approximately 26,000 people living with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers. More information on Alzheimer’s can be found at our website, www.alz.org/maine

Laurie Trenholm

executive director, Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter

Scarborough