[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 10415]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  ALZHEIMER'S & BRAIN AWARENESS MONTH

  Mr. KAINE. Mr. President. I wish to commemorate Alzheimer's & Brain 
Awareness month. The impact of Alzheimer's is felt in families and 
communities across Virginia and the Nation, and this month provides an 
opportunity to stand with those suffering from Alzheimer's and other 
brain diseases to raise awareness. I am also proud to cosponsor S. 857, 
the Health Outcomes, Planning, and Education, HOPE, for Alzheimer's Act 
today.
  The challenges Alzheimer's poses for families are real. Financially 
and emotionally, Alzheimer's disease has a devastating impact as 
patients need to navigate medical information, access community 
services and prepare for living with this disease. In Virginia there 
are over 130,000 people living with Alzheimer's and that number is 
expected to grow to as many as 190,000 by 2025. Alzheimer's does not 
only impact the individual patient, but also changes the lives of 
family caregivers. In 2014, an estimated 452,000 family caregivers 
provided 514 million hours of care for individuals with Alzheimer's 
disease and dementia in Virginia.
  The cost is also significant for the Federal Government. Nearly one 
in every five Medicare dollars is spent on someone with Alzheimer's or 
dementia, and by 2050, it will be nearly $1 of every $3. In the years 
between 2015 and 2050, caring for people with Alzheimer's will cost our 
country $20.8 trillion. Research funding is critical, and action is 
needed to provide to support for newly diagnosed patients and families.
  The HOPE for Alzheimer's Act would ensure patients and their families 
have access to a care planning session with their doctor to help them 
understand the diagnosis, treatment options, and what medical and 
community services are available. Studies have shown that providing 
patients and families with a full range of information and support 
results in better outcomes for those living with Alzheimer's, including 
higher quality of care, increased use of needed community services, 
reduced patient behavioral and psychiatric symptoms, and reduced 
caregiver stress and depression. According to the Alzheimer's 
Association, only 45 percent of people with Alzheimer's disease or 
their caregivers report being told of their diagnosis.
  This legislation provides for Medicare coverage for comprehensive 
Alzheimer's disease care planning services. While Medicare covers 
Alzheimer's disease diagnostic services, it currently does not provide 
coverage for comprehensive care planning following a diagnosis. These 
critical services will allow patients and families to understand the 
diagnosis, receive information about medical and non-medical options 
for ongoing treatment, services and supports and how to access care.
  As a member of the Committee on Aging, I am committed to working with 
my colleagues to raise awareness about this devastating disease, and 
thank the Alzheimer's Association and other advocates for their strong 
voices during June and throughout the year.

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