House Takes Bi-Partisan Action on Younger Onset Alzheimer’s!

The House of Representatives just passed the Reauthorization of the Older Americans Act (OAA)/Dignity in Aging Act of 2019. In doing so, the House has included important new provisions from the Younger-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Act of 2019 within this reauthorization. Thanks to all Members of the House of Representatives who supported this important legislation!

District 7 constituents, please, join me in extending a special thanks to our Congressman Rob Woodall for his support of those living with younger onset Alzheimer’s and their families. He was an early co-sponsor of the Younger-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Act of 2019 and has been a leader in advancing its objectives. Thank you, Congressman Woodall!

Endorsed by the Alzheimer’s Association and the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement, the Younger-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Act was designed to give individuals under the age of 60 living with the disease access to programs and services within the Older Americans Act (OAA), including nutritional services, supportive services, and the National Family Caregiver Support program. Because of their younger age, people living with early onset Alzheimer’s have, to date, not been eligible for support and service programs available to older Americans with Alzheimer’s disease. That is why achieving the goals of the Younger-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Act of 2019 (H.R. 1903 / S. 901) is so important.

Thankfully, with its recent passage of the Aging with Dignity Act of 2019, the House of Representatives has incorporated key provisions of the Younger-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Act within its broader reauthorization of the OAA. This brings much needed help for the 200,000 individuals living with younger onset Alzheimer’s and their families one step closer to becoming a reality.

The House bill reauthorizing the Older Americans Act has moved to the Senate, and it is now the Senate’s turn to support inclusion of the objectives of the Younger Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Act of 2019. Please, join me in asking Senators Jonny Isakson and David Perdue to use their votes to support Georgia individuals living with younger onset Alzheimer’s and their families.

There are currently over 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease and every 65 seconds someone develops Alzheimer’s disease. Interested in learning more about Alzheimer’s disease and getting involved? Please, visit https://www.alz.org/get-involved-now/advocate

Sincerely,

Stephanie Sillay, Alzheimer’s Advocate