[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 129 (Friday, September 21, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S6617]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      WORLD ALZHEIMER'S ACTION DAY

  Mr. AKAKA. Mr. President, today I wish to join my colleagues in 
bringing attention to Alzheimer's disease and dementia, which 
tragically affects so many people across our Nation, including in my 
home State of Hawaii. Today, the Alzheimer's Association recognizes 
World Alzheimer's Action Day as a way of raising awareness and reducing 
the stigma associated with Alzheimer's. Sadly, this disease has touched 
the lives of the families of so many of my friends, colleagues, and 
staff.
  In 2010, 27,000 people in Hawaii were living with Alzheimer's 
disease. Their family members and loved ones sacrificed to help them 
with nearly $800 million worth of unpaid care. Not only is this a 
devastating disease for the people afflicted with it, but the emotional 
and monetary costs to their families are enormous.
  The reach of the disease continues to grow, and it is estimated that 
the cost of caring for people with Alzheimer's and other dementia in 
America will reach $1.1 trillion by 2050. Despite the fact that 
Alzheimer's has affected so many, the disease itself remains poorly 
understood. Not only does it cause memory loss and confusion, but it is 
also the sixth leading cause of death nationwide.
  During the last Congress, my colleagues and I worked together to pass 
the National Alzheimer's Project Act, which President Obama signed into 
law in 2011. This law created a national strategic plan to address the 
crisis of Alzheimer's disease and to make ending Alzheimer's a national 
priority. We have a plan in place to fight this disease, but finding a 
cure will require us to continue funding research into the disease. 
While we work towards a cure, we must also support caregivers and raise 
public awareness of the effects of this disease.
  I would also like to express my profound gratitude to all those who 
are caring for family members who are afflicted with Alzheimer's 
disease and other forms of dementia. Many caregivers have one or more 
jobs and other family members to care for and it can often be a 
thankless job. So mahalo nui loa, thank you very much, for your 
sacrifices. I call on my colleagues to continue supporting Alzheimer's 
disease research and education so that we may find a cure and end this 
devastating disease.

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