[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 16 (Tuesday, February 6, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E112-E113]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  INTRODUCTION OF VETERANS RESOLUTION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN ELIAS BALDACCI

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 6, 2001

  Mr. BALDACCI. Mr. Speaker, today I offer a resolution regarding some 
of the neediest and most deserving citizens of our country: elderly 
veterans. I was pleased to support efforts in the 106th Congress to 
make long-term care for our veterans a priority, but more remains to be 
done. My resolution calls for additional resources to be directed 
towards addressing Alzheimer's in the veteran population.
  Alzheimer's, a degenerative brain disease, gradually causes a person 
to forget recent

[[Page E113]]

events or familiar tasks. Attempts to perform basic daily functions can 
turn into dangerous situations, and the disease eventually forces the 
afflicted to become totally dependent on others.
  Dementia, an umbrella term used to describe the loss of cognitive or 
intellectual function, is commonly associated with Alzheimer's. Caused 
by a number of diseases, dementia refers to memory loss, having 
difficulty making use of simple words, and poor or decreased judgement. 
In addition, dementia creates problems with abstract thinking and can 
result in personality changes.
  Veterans are widely affected by dementia in general and Alzheimer's 
specifically. Nearly 8 million, 37% of the total veterans population, 
suffer from dementia caused by Alzheimer's. Due to the severity of this 
condition, and the inability of those afflicted to care for themselves, 
specialized care is needed.
  Currently the Veterans Alzheimer's/Dementia Program includes both 
inpatient and outpatient clinics. Ranging from short-term behavioral 
stabilization to long-term comfort and supportive care, these clinics 
are designed to treat patients while research is conducted on their 
condition and treatment. However, with an aging population and 
corresponding rise in dementia cases, the resources of our veterans 
nursing homes are being strained. Currently there are a very small 
number of facilities dedicated to treating patients with Alzheimer's. 
In addition, the traditional nursing home model does not provide the 
most effective method of treatment.
  While Alzheimer's remains incurable, progress is being made. 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) researchers have discovered a 
genetic association to the development of Alzheimer's and they continue 
to pioneer dementia research. However, there are still only three FDA-
approved drugs that may temporarily relieve some symptoms of the 
disease. Clearly, more dedicated research should be encouraged.
  Research and treatment provided through dementia-specific nursing 
homes will enhance the development of appropriate care options. To 
encourage such homes to be leased and constructed, the Veterans of 
Foreign Wars has urged the VA to establish a demonstration project for 
this purpose. I am pleased to support the VFW's Resolution 639 by 
offering this resolution today. I urge my colleagues to join me in 
support of this effort.

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