Letter to editor: Thank you Sen. Morrison for work on dementia

As we work to respond to the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to ensure the most vulnerable populations remain a priority for our state leaders. This pandemic presents a particular challenge for the more than 230,000 Illinoisans living with Alzheimer’s, their over 587,000 caregivers and the many others impacted by this disease. I am personally impacted by the disease having lost both my grandmother after a long battle with Alzheimer’s and my father-in-law who passed away from vascular dementia at the young age of 59.

Today I write to thank Senator Julie Morrison for considering the critical needs of people impacted by dementia during the extraordinary legislative session. The legislature passed three important items – a 15% increase in funding for home and community-based services provided through the Community Care Program, a one-year renewal of the scratch-off lottery ticket benefiting Alzheimer’s care and support, and a reauthorization of $10 million in Alzheimer’s research funding. These are important steps which will support people living with dementia currently and those who may face this disease in the years to come.

While we should be proud of the steps already taken, we need to do more to protect residents of long-term care facilities who have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. I urge policymakers to fully implement the recommendations of the Alzheimer’s Association to improve testing, reporting, surge activation, and providing support at long-term care facilities.

Senator Julie Morrison, let’s work together to protect our most vulnerable during these challenging times.

Jeff Kaplan (State Champion for Alzheimer's Impact Movement)

513 Grove Ave

Deerfield, IL 60015