Caregivers Need Support

An estimated 6.2 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s dementia in 2021. Total payments for all individuals with Alzheimer’s or other dementias are estimated at $355 billion (not including unpaid caregiving) in 2021. Medicare and Medicaid are expected to cover $239 billion or 67% of the total health care and long-term care payments for people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. Total payments for health care, long-term care and hospice care for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias are projected to increase to more than $1.1 trillion in 2050. These mounting costs threaten to bankrupt families, businesses and our health care system. Unfortunately, our work is only growing more urgent.

The burden of caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other dementias extends to millions of Americans caring for those with the disease. In 2020, more than 11 million unpaid caregivers provided 15.3 billion hours of care valued at nearly $257 billion. Alzheimer’s caregivers also report higher levels of stress, depression and worse health outcomes when compared to others who are providing care to individuals without dementia. The physical and emotional impact of dementia caregiving is estimated to have resulted in $11.8 billion in health care costs in the United States in 2018.

As a son who lost his mother to Alzheimer's, I understand these unique challenges and needs of dementia caregiving and the impact of dementia requires comprehensive and robust action for this large and growing number of caregivers. The more caregivers understand Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia, the better they can care for their loved ones and themselves.The Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Act (S.56/H.R.1474) would give these caregivers and their families much needed support by
providing grants to public and non-profit organizations to expand and improve training and support services. These services empower caregivers to provide quality care for their loved ones while giving them tools to manage and improve their own health.
Join me in asking Congressman David Scott to continue his support by cosponsoring this important legislation.

Jim Williams

Smyrna Georgia