Invest in Alzheimer’s Research to Support Caregivers!

This November, during National Family Caregivers Month, I recognize that Alzheimer’s is not just devastating for the more than 5 million Americans living with the disease, but also for the more than 16 million family and friends serving as caregivers. Caring for someone living with dementia is a long and arduous experience. As one of those caregivers, I understand how draining and isolating this disease truly is. My mother lived with Alzheimer’s for 13 years. We lost my father, who had been her primary caregiver five years before my mom, as he was so worn down from the daily toll of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s.

Caregiving was unchartered territory for my father, a corporate lawyer who had career success in the board room. Where was the playbook for the scenario where the doctor never gives a diagnosis, even though her brother died of Alzheimer’s, and even though her doctor prescribed the medications that slow the progression of Alzheimer’s? Why would her husband want to believe that she had Alzheimer’s if her doctor was not diagnosing it? As a result, what was the plan for this recently retired, formerly successful businessman, to care for his wife while she is exhibiting erratic, but undiagnosed behavior? These were the challenges that that characterized the early days of our family’s caregiving journey with Alzheimer’s.

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s made me realize that more could be done in our fight to end this terrible disease, and that’s why I became a volunteer advocate with the Alzheimer’s Association. I’m dedicated to helping our elected officials better understand the challenges associated with dementia and how Congress can help! Our leaders have made this disease a priority in a past, and that’s why I’m calling on our Representative Sean Casten and Senator Tammy Duckworth again this year to support an additional $354 million in Alzheimer’s and dementia research funding. These dollars are helping us make the inroads necessary to eradicating the disease that has stricken our loved ones and has caused so much of a burden on caregivers' lives.

Please join me in asking Congressman Casten and Senator Tammy Duckworth to continue in investing in Alzheimer’s and all other dementia so we can offer hope to those affected.

Julie Ramsay

Lisle, IL 60532