Alzheimer’s disease is the most expensive disease in America and a growing public health crisis. Having just returned from Washington, D.C., with an 11-member delegation from Maine, I am encouraged by the response of our members of Congress. Many thanks to Sen. Susan Collins, Sen. Angus King, Rep. Chellie Pingree and Rep. Bruce Poliquin for co-sponsoring the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act and the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act. These measures will save money through early diagnosis and better end-of-life care.

Our Maine delegation was part of a wave of 1,200 people from across our country going to Capitol Hill to share our stories and concerns about finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Our loved ones are being lost to a cruel disease that takes the essence of who they are and shortens their life. It also puts a tremendous financial burden on families and the economy.

The number of Americans with the disease is set to triple over the next 35 years, bringing the cost of care to $1.1 trillion in 2050. Only through research are we going to stop this trajectory.

Please join me in asking our members of Congress to support an additional $425 million in Alzheimer’s and dementia research funding at the National Institutes of Health for FY 2019. Become an advocate by contacting the Maine Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org/maine or calling 772-0115. Let’s make a difference together!

Cathy Walters

Hollis Center

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