The Devastation of Alzheimer's Disease

Floor Speech

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Well, we all love Louise Slaughter. We extend our condolences for the loss of her beloved Bob, who was part of this institution. He was here so much and intellectually invested himself in the business of the House.

Representative Garamendi, let me thank you for bringing us together in such a meaningful and bipartisan-spirited way to address the issue of Alzheimer's disease.

It is my honor to sponsor the measure, the Alzheimer's Accountability Act, with Representative Guthrie. Alzheimer's knows no boundaries--political, geographic, age, whatever. It is so important for us to come together in a spirit of unity and support for the Alzheimer's community.

Recently, I joined the many advocates that came to the Hill here in Washington from around the country. Around a thousand people gathered for a breakfast. I heard of folks being diagnosed in their twenties. I heard of a gentleman diagnosed in his thirties and who died in his forties. It seems to be penetrating deeper and deeper into the younger age category.

So it is important for us to make an all-out effort to invest in research and respite care and all sorts of developments that respond to the individuals and families who live with Alzheimer's on a day-to-day basis.

The Alzheimer's Accountability Act is, I think, is so sound an approach because it addresses a professionally inspired budget that will have the scientists, the clinicians, those most in the front lines of addressing Alzheimer's, and their patients, forecasting what the needs are. As you know, we have set up a national project that requires planning from now to the year 2025.

I think what is so good about the measure introduced by Representative Guthrie and myself is that it will require this professional judgment that will name the pricetag for each year as we go to 2025. It won't be left to us as a political force, but rather to the clinical health care provider community that will have the best estimates of what is needed.

As I gather at the town halls that we have so that we can know of the progress or lack thereof, you hear heart-wrenching stories. People tell you they go to work because their spouse is struggling with Alzheimer's. They search employment so as to pull themselves out of that day-to-day routine because it is wearing on their relationship. And they spend every dollar earned to go toward respite. But they do it to save their relationship.

People have acknowledged to me that they mourn twice. First, when the diagnosis happens and they have lost their loved one somewhat. They lost their personality or whatever. And then they mourn again with the physical departure.

And others have said to me--one who comes to mind, a high school buddy--My husband knows my voice; he doesn't know my name.

It doesn't get more heart-wrenching than that.

So this is an immediate need, a priority, an urgency. Let's go forward and let's in a bipartisan-spirited way, bicameral, and working with the executive branch, get it done. Let's make certain the planning is there, that the resources are there for research, for respite care, for the entire continuum of services that are required so as to address the dignity and deliver hope to the doorsteps of individuals and families who face this constant struggle, who live with it on a daily basis and who have really seen the entire persona be lost in their mid.

So it is an honor to be on the floor this evening with both of you gentleman and to work with you in tandem, in partnership, in a spirited way to make things happen.

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