[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 129 (Friday, September 21, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1618]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  RECOGNIZING WORLD ALZHEIMER'S MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 21, 2012

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for 
individuals and families affected by Alzheimer's Disease.
  As we recognize September as World Alzheimer's Month, I want to thank 
the many advocates, caregivers, and health professionals who provide 
support for those who suffer from Alzheimer's Disease, and the medical 
researchers who are working so hard to discover better treatments and 
cures. I especially want to recognize the work of the Alzheimer's 
Association, including the Greater Illinois Chapter, that is working to 
reduce stigma and eliminate Alzheimer's Disease.
  Alzheimer's Disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United 
States, and it is the only cause of death among the top 10 that today 
cannot be prevented, cured, or even slowed. Every 68 seconds, an 
American develops Alzheimer's Disease. It is estimated that this year, 
5.4 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's Disease, including 
210,000 people aged 65 or older in Illinois. In addition to the 
physical and emotional toll of those afflicted with Alzheimer's and 
their families, there are immense costs associated with caring for 
those with Alzheimer's.
  The Alzheimer's Association not only makes critical investments into 
Alzheimer's research but also provides support groups, education 
programs, and other resources to patients, caregivers, and families. 
More than 15 million Americans will provide unpaid care valued at $210 
billion to individuals who suffer from Alzheimer's and other dementias. 
As the co-chair of the House Democratic Caucus Seniors Task Force, I am 
committed to accelerating our efforts to help patients and caregivers.
  Today, September 21, is ``Go Purple'' day to highlight the need to 
end Alzheimer's. I hope that we also remember today that Congress needs 
to act to help meet that goal, while also making sure that individuals 
living with Alzheimer's and those who care for them receive the 
assistance they need and deserve. Last May, the first ever National 
Alzheimer's Plan was released, laying out the needs and the 
opportunities before us--in public education, treatment, support 
services, and research. We need to adopt their positive 
recommendations, but we also need to make sure that we move forward, 
not backwards.
  We cannot make short-sighted cuts to medical research, including the 
National Institutes of Health, that will delay the discovery of new 
treatments and cures. This year, it will cost $200 billion, including 
$140 billion from Medicare and Medicaid, to provide care for those 
living with Alzheimer's and other dementias. This cost is estimated to 
soar to $1.1 trillion by 2050. Cuts to Medicare and Medicaid would be 
devastating to Alzheimer's patients and caregivers, and arbitrary cuts 
to Older Americans Act programs will leave individuals and caregivers 
without the supports they need.
  I urge my colleagues and their staff to join me to recognize 
September as World Alzheimer's Month and commit to developing and 
implementing strategies to address Alzheimer's disease.

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