Congresswoman Waters Recognizes World Alzheimer’s Day

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), a leading proponent of legislation to increase research and funding to combat Alzheimer's disease and help those affected by the disease, issued the following statement in recognition of World Alzheimer's Day:

I am proud to join the millions of families worldwide who are affected by Alzheimer's disease to recognize today as World Alzheimer's Day. Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, and it affects over five million Americans.

Most Alzheimer's patients live at home under the care of family and friends. Taking care of a family member with Alzheimer's disease can be an extremely stressful experience. Caregivers face a variety of challenges, ranging from feeding, bathing, and dressing patients to helping them take their medications, managing their finances, and making legal decisions.

Last month, I introduced two bills to address the needs of patients with Alzheimer's disease, their families and caregivers. Both bills are supported by the Alzheimer's Association and the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, as well as Reps. Edward Markey (D-MA) and Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ), the bipartisan Co-Chairs of the Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease.

The Alzheimer's Caregiver Support Act (H.R. 2798) authorizes grants to public and non-profit organizations to expand training and support services for families and caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease. The bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to coordinate with the Office of Minority Health and the Office of Women's Health, in order to ensure that women, minorities, and medically underserved communities will benefit from the program. Expanding access to training and support services will improve the ability of caregivers to provide effective, compassionate care and allow more Alzheimer's patients to remain in their homes with the people who love them.

The Missing Alzheimer's Disease Patient Alert Program Reauthorization (H.R. 2800) helps Alzheimer's patients who wander away from their homes and are unable to tell people in the community who they are or where they live. The bill reauthorizes a Department of Justice program that helps local law enforcement officials quickly identify wandering Alzheimer's patients and reunite them with their families. This program is a vital tool for first responders. It saves local law enforcement officials valuable time and allows them to focus on other security concerns, and it brings priceless peace of mind to families affected by Alzheimer's disease.

On World Alzheimer's Day, we honor Alzheimer's patients, and we honor the people who love and care for them. Alzheimer's patients deserve a life with dignity. Let us rededicate ourselves to doing all we can to support and assist all those who are affected by this tragic disease.

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Congresswoman Waters has been active on Alzheimer's issues for several years. In addition to her legislative initiatives, she has sought other opportunities to assist Alzheimer's patients and their families.

• Earlier this year, Congresswoman Waters wrote a letter to Congressional appropriators requesting $2 million for the Missing Alzheimer's Disease Patient Alert Program in fiscal year 2012. A total of 27 Members of Congress signed the Congresswoman's letter.

• Congresswoman Waters also helped the California Southland Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association obtain a $190,000 grant for caregiver education, outreach and public awareness in Los Angeles in fiscal year 2009.