The Alzheimer’s Association estimates there are more than 5 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease and more than 16 million Alzheimer’s caregivers. As an Alzheimer’s advocate and ambassador, it is my honor to represent them.

About BOLD

• Congress just passed the Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act with a strong bipartisan vote, the Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act is now law, and I want to thank Congressman Tim Walz for championing this innovative legislation.

• The BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act will allow our nation to address Alzheimer’s as the urgent public health crisis it has become.

• I hope Congressman Jim Hagedorn will continue to work with his colleagues in Congress to address Alzheimer’s as a public health crisis that must be addressed – not just from a funding standpoint, but also from a caregiver standpoint.

• As a constituent who has lost both parents to this epidemic, I am one of millions affected by Alzheimer’s disease. We all know someone who has been touched — young and old.

Statistics for Alzheimer’s

• Every 65 seconds someone develops Alzheimer’s disease – which is why Congress must remain committed to action on this devastating disease.

• According to the Alzheimer’s Association “2018 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures,” by 2050, the total cost of care for Alzheimer’s is projected to increase to more than $1.1 trillion.

• The report also revealed that Alzheimer’s-related costs have soared to $277 billion in the last year, including $186 billion in costs to Medicare and Medicaid.

• By applying a public health approach to reduce risk, detect early symptoms, and advance care, we can change the trajectory of Alzheimer’s disease.

Call to action

• Thanks to Tim Walz support, we are one step closer to a world without Alzheimer’s.

To learn more about Alzheimer’s and how you can join the fight to end Alzheimer’s visit alz.org.

—   Mary Lindgren

Alzheimer Ambassador