Call to Action

One of the reasons Voyageur and I started this blog was to let caregivers know they are not alone in this morass of dementia; resources that we found (some are obvious, others not so much); and to let everyone know that often there are unintentional roadblocks standing in the way, AND to create real change as to how dementia is viewed and fully fund research so we can get treatment, prevention and ultimately a cure.

Yep, I do talk in run-on sentences, especially when passionate about an issue or subject :)

Today let's talk about change and let's talk numbers.

The numbers are staggering.  5.4 million Americans with Alzheimers, it's the 6th leading cause of death in the US and the only one in the top 10 that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed in its progression. 15 million unpaid caregivers; if they all lived in one state, it would be the 5th largest state in the nation.  These caregivers provided over 17 billion hours of unpaid care and Alzheimer's costs the US $183 billion annually.  Every 69 seconds someone develops Alzheimer's in the US.  Baby boomers turned 65 this year.  Researchers are saying the numbers will double by 2050.  That's less than 40 years away.

What can you do right now, in this moment?  Contact your members of Congress and let them know to support the Health Outcomes, Planning and Education for Alzheimer's Act - this Act will help folks immediately - it will:

The other piece of legislation to contact your members of Congress about is the Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act of 2011.  Scientists say they are close to a CURE but need funding.  This legislation would:

• Make Alzheimer’s research a priority at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by:
  • pursuing emerging scientific and research opportunities    across the 27 Institutes and Centers at NIH
  • adopting the research recommendations from the forthcoming National Alzheimer’s Plan
• Create public-private partnerships to develop treatments and a cure through innovative approaches to Alzheimer’s research.
• Require the leadership at NIH to provide the funding necessary to get the job done – or explain to Congress why they are not.

As a long distance caregiver, I am often rendered powerless to this disease.  I cannot get mom's memory in order, let her have control of her finances or fix any part of this insidious disease.  What I can do is talk to my US Senator, Representative and President and make sure Alzheimer's is a national priority.  I can tell them my story, mom's story and help to create a future much different than our present.

Take 5 minutes, click on the links, make a difference.  Now back to our regularly scheduled programming :)