The Alzheimer’s Association estimates there are more than five million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease, including 6,800 here in Alaska. In addition, there are more than 15 million Americans caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or another dementia, including 33,000 Alaskans. As an Alzheimer’s Ambassador, it is my honor to represent them to our elected officials.

Alzheimer’s disease takes a devastating toll, not just on those with the disease but also on their caregivers. My father was heartbroken having to watch my mother battle Alzheimer’s for 13 years until she passed away in 2010. He needed as much support as possible to provide care for her. 

In early April, I was honored to participate with 1,200 others from across the country in the 28th annual Alzheimer’s Association Advocacy Forum in Washington, D.C., where we appealed to Congress for action on Alzheimer’s disease. Thank you to Sen. Lisa Murkowski and Sen. Dan Sullivan for meeting with our delegation to discuss the Alzheimer’s crisis.

The Alzheimer’s Association thanks Sen. Murkowski for co-sponsoring the Health Outcomes, Planning, and Education (HOPE) for Alzheimer’s Act (S.857/H.R.1559), which will ensure Medicare beneficiaries newly-diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and their families receive comprehensive care planning services. We hope we can count on your continued support. 

We appreciate all of Sen. Sullivan’s past support and invite Homer News readers to contact him to ask that he support the HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act. It is only through adequate funding and a strong implementation of the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease that we will meet its goal of preventing and effectively treating Alzheimer’s by 2025. 

Visit alz.org/advocacy to get involved with the fight against Alzheimer’s.

Cindy Harris

Alzheimer’s Association Alaska Ambassador

Soldotna