Alzheimer's Caregiving the Human cost
The burden of Caregiving is devastating to those family members caring for the Alzheimer's patient. A recent study shows that 71 percent of Alzheimer's caregivers are highly concerned about the deterioration of their own health
since they began caregiving. One in 3 say their health has gotten worse since beginning caregiving. The Alzheimer's patient requires more assistance with feeding, getting out of bed,going to and from the toilet than any other aging person without Alzheimer's. The caregiver is almost 3 times as likely to deal with incontinence and diapers than any other caregiver. Emotional stress is rated as high or very high by those caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's with studies showing 40 percent suffering from depression. Among those caring for an Alzheimer's patient 26 percent are 65 and older suffering from their own chronic health conditions and 41 percent are 50 to 64. Some are also caring for grandchildren.
The emotional and physical impact on caring for Alzheimer's patients resulted in $$11.4 billion in health care cost in 2017.
Investment in research and finding an effective treatment and ultimately a cure would help both Alzheimer's patients and their caregiver.
I encourage you to ask your Congressman and Senators to fund the $ 425 million request for Alzheimer's research for the National Institute of Health. I thank Congressman David Scott of Georgia District 13 for his co-sponsorship of the BOLD Act for Alzheimer's HR 4256 and his ongoing support of research funding.