LOUISVILLE (March 24, 2017) – The Alzheimer’s Association will host their 29th annual Advocacy Forum on Capitol Hill from March 27-29.
Thousands of advocates, including 15 Kentuckians representing each of the state’s districts, will meet with congress to discuss Alzheimer’s research, funding and awareness. Advocacy Forum gathers advocates from across all fifty states and addresses congress as a unified voice against Alzheimer’s disease.
“There is power in numbers. The Alzheimer’s Association’s annual Advocacy Forum brings together thousands of people on Capitol Hill with a common goal to end Alzheimer’s disease,” said DeeAnna Esslinger, Executive Director for the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana. “This disease can be isolating for the person living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. This is an opportunity to bring the nation together as one voice and to tell Congress that stopping this disease must be a national priority.”
In Kentucky alone, there are 70,000 people living with Alzheimer’s disease. That number is projected to jump to 86,000 by 2025. Alzheimer’s continues to be the most expensive disease in the nation as the total cost of caring for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias is estimated to reach $259 billion in 2017, with half the cost being borne by Medicare. This is a $33 billion increase from 2015 and is expected to increase to $1.1 trillion by mid-century. Congress must take an active role in addressing the Alzheimer’s crisis, the care and support needs of families facing the disease and its impact on local and state economies. To find out more about the local advocacy program, visit alz.org/kyin.
Add Comment