Special to The TIMES
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A Pea Ridge High School freshman was one member of a group of 10 Alzheimer's ambassadors from across Arkansas who traveled to Washington, D.C., to join over 1,300 other advocates on behalf of those without a voice -- those suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
The group spent four days in the nation's capitol preparing to meet with their members of Congress alongside advocates from all 50 states. Arkansas congressmen schedules were cooperative and the group was able to meet with all six members of Congress from Arkansas. While meeting, the advocates made a case for supporting Alzheimer's research with a $412 million funding allocation to NIH and also asked for co-sponsorship of the The Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act or PCHETA (S.693/H.R.1676). PCHETA would increase palliative care and hospice training for health care professionals, launch a national campaign to inform patients and families about the benefits of palliative care, and enhance research on improving the delivery of palliative care.
The group met with Senators John Boozman and Tom Cotton. In addition, they had meetings with Representatives Rick Crawford, French Hill, Steve Womack and Bruce Westerman. Attendees had an opportunity to make a case for Congress to support their requests by sharing their personal experience with Alzheimer's disease. They were also able to illustrate the need for research funding to end the disease because the cost coupled with the swell of baby boomer's who started turning 65 years old in 2011 has the potential to bankrupt Medicaid and Medicare.
Included in the group was Susan Neyman, executive director for the Arkansas Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association; Dr. Mark Pippenger, a behavioral neurologist from UAMS Memory Clinic, Dr. Angie Norman, a geriatric physician at the UAMS Center on Aging in El Dorado; Sadie Pearce, a high school senior from Harrisburg along with her mother, Sherry Pearce; Zachary Hatley, a hospice nurse from Marked Tree; Lisa Klusmeier, a widow from Fayetteville who lost her husband last year to Alzheimer's disease at the age of 58; Bobby Rickard whose father lived with his wife and children for three years during his battle with Alzheimer's and Rickard's son, Parker Rickard, a high school freshman from Pea Ridge; and Mike Son of Bella Vista, who lost his father to the disease.
"It is important for every citizen to feel that they can take issues to their representatives in Congress," Neyman said. "When our congressmen hear from younger citizens and those who have a very personal connection to the disease, they really listen. Hearing about an important cause like Alzheimer's that is having an increasingly large impact on the nation's budget, that gets the attention of congressmen. We are asking for their support that will not only benefit their constituents but the entire country."
According to the CDC, one in six people in Arkansas over the age of 45 have reported experiencing confusion or memory loss that is getting worse. Over half of them indicated that it is causing them difficulties resulting in giving up day to day activities or interfered with work and social activities. It is estimated that over 60,000 Arkansans live with Alzheimer's disease. In addition, over 180,000 Arkansans provide unpaid care for their loved ones suffering with the disease. Along with the human toll of the disease, care for Alzheimer's -- the country's most expensive condition -- costs the nation $236 billion in 2016 with projections to reach $1.1 trillion by 2050. These staggering numbers do not include unpaid care by friends and family valued at $221 billion a year or the more than $10 billion in increased healthcare costs for caregivers own health. State governments are increasingly on the front lines in addressing the Alzheimer's crisis, the care and support needs of families facing the disease and its impact on local economies.
For more information on Alzheimer's disease, call the Alzheimer's Association toll-free, 24/7 Helpline at 1-800-272-3900 or visit alz.org.
About the Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association is the world's leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's. Visit www.alz.org or call 800.272.3900.
Community on 05/10/2017