[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Pages 22127-22128]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         WORLD ALZHEIMER'S DAY

  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today is World Alzheimer's Day, a day to 
raise awareness about this neurodegenerative disease that afflicts over 
5 million Americans, including about 600,000 people in my home State of 
California.
  It has been 100 years since Alzheimer's was first identified, yet 
there is still no cure and no proven way to prevent the disease. In 
fact, every 70 seconds another American develops Alzheimer's, this is 
alarming.
  People who suffer from Alzheimer's disease experience symptoms that 
take an extreme toll on both those afflicted with this disease, and 
their loved ones.
  Certainly the most well-known symptom of Alzheimer's is amnesia, or 
loss of memory, but Alzheimer's can also disrupt a person's ability to 
communicate or accomplish daily tasks. These debilitating symptoms 
create large challenges for Alzheimer's sufferers, their caretakers, 
and their loved ones.
  Unfortunately these symptoms tell only half the story. Those 
afflicted may also suffer from psychiatric symptoms like personality 
changes, depression, hallucinations, and delusions. These terrible 
symptoms may cause people with Alzheimer's not to recognize familiar 
faces, including their own children and grandchildren. They may also 
become fearful, paranoid, irritable or withdrawn.
  The number of people living with Alzheimer's disease is expected to 
triple by 2050. If nothing is done, Alzheimer's will cost Medicare and 
Medicaid $19.89 trillion between 2010 and 2050. Already, Alzheimer's 
disease costs the nation $175 billion annually, and caregivers spend 10 
percent of their household income caring for a loved one who is 
suffering from this horrible disease.
  That is why I have joined 29 of my colleagues in cosponsoring the 
Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act of 2009, which responds to this crisis by 
helping us learn more about Alzheimer's disease, develop better 
treatments, and prevent this disease. This legislation will help 
advance the study and treatment of Alzheimer's to make a difference in 
the lives of millions of Americans by equipping caregivers with the 
resources and support services they need to care for their loved ones.
  This bill would double funding for Alzheimer's research at the 
National Institutes of Health, create the National Summit on 
Alzheimer's, support public education campaigns, and expand the 
Alzheimer's 24/7 call center, which provides assistance to caregivers.
  I am also pleased to be joined by Senator Collins in sponsoring the 
Caring for an Aging America Act. This legislation would make critical 
investments in the workforce specially trained to care for older 
Americans, many of whom suffer from this disease. By working to train 
more of these essential health professionals, I am hopeful that we can 
not only improve the quality of care for Alzheimer's patients, but also 
provide their caregivers and family with better resources to meet the 
needs of their loved ones.
  On this World Alzheimer's Day I am happy to join the millions of 
people coming together across the globe to raise awareness about this 
devastating disease, and to support these two bipartisan bills, which 
are critical in the fight of our Nation, our Nation's citizens, and our 
families against this terrible affliction.
  Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, on World Alzheimer's Day, it is 
important that we pause to consider the devastating impact of this 
debilitating disease and the importance of scientific research into its 
causes, effects, and treatment.
  More than 5 million Americans are affected by Alzheimer's, and it is 
estimated that this number will increase to between 11.3 and 16 million 
by the year 2050. One in 10 individuals has a family member with the 
disease.
  I am a proud cosponsor of S. 1492, which would increase National 
Institutes of Health funding for Alzheimer's research to $2 billion for 
fiscal year 2010 and provide grants for research designed specifically 
to help caregivers. This bill would establish a National Summit on 
Alzheimer's to examine promising research programs and raise awareness.
  We must find ways to prevent this disease before it starts. The vital 
investments made by this bill will put us ahead of the curve, both in 
terms of research and increasing public understanding of the disease. 
On this day, when we remember those suffering from Alzheimer's disease 
and those who have succumbed to it, let us recommit ourselves to meet 
the challenge posed by this disease and do everything we can to 
alleviate the suffering it causes.
  Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I rise today to increase awareness of a 
debilitating and ultimately fatal disease that right now, more than 5 
million Americans and 35 million people worldwide live with--
Alzheimer's.
  Today is World Alzheimer's Day, a day when the individuals and 
families affected by this devastating disease around the globe unite to 
increase understanding about the disease and its impact. Unfortunately, 
as this disease continues to steal an ever growing number of memories 
and ultimately lives, this global recognition continues to grow in 
importance.
  According to new data released in the 2009 World Alzheimer Report, 
the 35 million people worldwide suffering from Alzheimer's and dementia 
is a startling 10 percent increase over the 2005 number. This 
devastating number is only expected to grow. In fact, according to the 
newly released report,

[[Page 22128]]

the number of people with Alzheimer's is expected to nearly double 
every 20 years, to 65.7 million in 2030 and 115.4 million in 2050.
  For too many years the millions of Americans living with this disease 
and their families suffered silently in a nation that misunderstood the 
tragedy of Alzheimer's and dementia. In 1994, the courage of one family 
changed the public face of Alzheimer's when in a letter to the American 
people Ronald Reagan announced he was one of the millions of Americans 
living with the disease. With this selfless act, the former President 
and his wife Nancy increased the public awareness of Alzheimer's and 
increased the awareness of the need for research into its causes and 
prevention.
  Public awareness is a key part of the fight against this disease, 
which is why I thank actor David Hyde Pierce for being a vocal champion 
in the fight against Alzheimer's and Lisa Genova who wrote the moving 
book, ``Still Alice,'' about a brilliant woman blindsided by the 
disease.
  In 2004 Senator Mikulski and I first introduced legislation in honor 
of Ronald Reagan, who took public awareness of Alzheimer's to the 
national stage. This legislation--a living tribute to the courage of 
our 40th President-- made a Federal commitment to increase research for 
Alzheimer's and increase assistance to Alzheimer patients and their 
families.
  Today, Senator Mikulski and I are still leading the fight in the 
Senate to pass this critical legislation. This year we reintroduced the 
Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act. This bipartisan legislation strengthens 
our nation's commitment to Alzheimer's research and to finding cures 
and treatments for this devastating disease.
  This legislation doubles funding for Alzheimer's research at the 
National Institutes of Health, NIH, to $2 billion and makes Alzheimer's 
research a priority at NIH. The bill also provides support for families 
by providing caregivers with the vital resources and tools to assist 
them.
  We can't afford to wait another 5 years to pass this bill. After all, 
in this country, someone develops Alzheimer's every 70 seconds. Experts 
estimate Alzheimer's could affect as many as 10 million baby boomers as 
they age. And in my State of Missouri, there will be as many as 110,000 
people age 65 and older who will have Alzheimer's disease by 2010.
  I urge my colleagues in the Senate to join me and Senator Mikulski in 
our fight against this terrible disease and cosponsor the Alzheimer's 
Breakthrough Act. I also ask that today you keep all those who have 
lost loved ones to Alzheimer's, all those living with Alzheimer's and 
all those carrying on the fight against Alzheimer's in your thoughts.

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