[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 17584]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  NATIONAL ALZHEIMER'S AWARENESS MONTH

  (Ms. TSONGAS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize National Alzheimer's 
Awareness Month.
  One of my constituents, Alan Holbrook of Groton, Massachusetts, lost 
his wife this year after their family endured her 8-year battle with 
Alzheimer's disease. Bernadette Holbrook was diagnosed with Alzheimer's 
at 57. Alan left his job to lovingly take care of her.
  He is not alone. For every person with Alzheimer's, there are 
approximately two to three others that generously give unpaid care.
  Alzheimer's is a disease that disproportionately impacts women. 
Nearly two-thirds of those with the disease are women, and that number 
is growing. Today, 5 million people in this country suffer from the 
disease, and it will likely be an estimated 15 million by 2025.
  This disease not only exacts a tremendous physical and emotional 
toll, but a financial one as well. In 2013, the estimated direct costs 
just to take care of those with Alzheimer's were $203 billion.
  Mr. Speaker, for the Holbrooks and the millions of those who suffer 
from Alzheimer's disease, we must dedicate ourselves towards curing and 
preventing this disease.

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