Opinion/Letter: Alzheimer's effort needs federal funding

suggested hed: Alzheimer's effort needs funding

In my position at Rosewood Village Assisted Living and Memory Care in Charlottesville, I work with families and persons living with Alzheimer's on a daily basis. I see firsthand the tragic impact the disease has on so many people in our community.

On their behalf, I am going to Washington, where more than 1,000 Alzheimer's advocates from across the nation will attend the Alzheimer's Association AIM Advocacy Forum.

While in Washington, I will meet with Rep. Tom Garrett to explain why Congress must continue to take action against Alzheimer's. I will ask Congressman Garrett to support the Building Our Largest Dementia Infrastructure Act (S 2076/HR 4256), which establishes Alzheimer's Centers of Excellence around the country to expand and promote innovative and effective Alzheimer's interventions. It provides funding to state, local, and tribal public health departments to implement those interventions and promote early detection and diagnosis, reduce risk and prevent avoidable hospitalizations.

Alzheimer's is the only leading cause of death in the U.S. without a way to prevent, cure or even slow its progression.

According to the 2018 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures, by 2050, the total cost of care for Alzheimer's is projected to increase to more than $1.1 trillion. Currently, Alzheimer's is the most expensive disease in the country, costing $277 billion in 2018, including $186 billion in costs to Medicare and Medicaid.

Please join me in urging Congressman Garrett to support the BOLD Infrastructure Act.

Shareef Tahboub, Albemarle County

Reference: alz.org/documents_custom/2018-facts-and-figures-infographic.pdf