Supporting Alzheimer's disease patients during COVID19

To the editor:

The COVID-19 pandemic presents specific challenges, especially for the 5 million Americans currently living with Alzheimer’s as well as their caregivers and the nonprofits serving these vulnerable populations. As a current Alzheimer’s disease researcher and advocate, I see the need for increasing federal support towards patients, caregivers and the nonprofits during the COVID-19. pandemic. In these difficult times, I am asking Congressman Andy Barr to take action through the next legislative stimulus package to include important measures to support this vulnerable population.

Two critical issues include: The Promoting Alzheimer’s Awareness to Prevent Elder Abuse Act, which would require the DOJ to develop materials covering best practices to assist professionals who support victims of abuse living with dementia. The Improving HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act would increase the use of the care planning benefit in order to help more families by educating clinicians on care planning services available through Medicare.

Finally, during this crisis nonprofits are providing tremendous support to the communities they serve, despite facing economic hardships. Congress must establish an exclusive fund to support nonprofits with between 500 to 10,000 employees, including loan forgiveness to ensure charities like the Alzheimer’s Association can continue to effectively serve the communities that depend on them.

I humbly ask my Representative Andy Barr to make sure these three bipartisan measures are included in the next COVID-19 response legislation to provide critical support for at risk populations.

Courtney Kloske

Lexington, KY 40502