The Alzheimer’s Association’s® Central and Western Virginia Chapter commends Sen. Mark Warner for cosponsoring the “Alzheimer’s Breakthrough Act of 2009” {S. 1492}.

For the more than five-million people nationwide living with Alzheimer’s, and the 100,000 plus living right here in Virginia, it is a tremendous step in the fight against the disease and offers great promise for someday having a world without Alzheimer’s.

With an aging baby boomer population soon to be at the epicenter of an escalating Alzheimer crisis, the disease is quickly becoming the country’s biggest, broadest and most expensive problem, to individuals, families and the health care system.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2009 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, total health care costs are more than three times higher for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias than for other people the same age without the disease.

For the last six years, federal funding for Alzheimer research has declined in real terms. In fact, for every dollar the government spends on the costs of Alzheimer care, it invests less than a penny in research to find a cure. This is all while the loss of lives and costs to Medicare and Medicaid continue to soar.

This legislation authorizes a significant increase in funding for Alzheimer research at the National Institutes of Health to $2 billion to restore momentum to the pursuit of better diagnosis, prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

“The Alzheimer’s Association commends Sen. Mark Warner for his recognition of the growing threat of Alzheimer’s,” says Sue Friedman, President/CEO Central and Western Virginia Chapter. “By supporting the Alzheimer Breakthrough Act, Senator Warner has signaled his understanding of the grave threat Alzheimer’s poses to the residents of Virginia and the nation.”

In addition to the increase in research funding, this legislation provides much needed support for the nearly ten-million caregivers nationwide, including the 250,025 Alzheimer caregivers who live in Virginia. Every day, these individuals grapple with the emotional, physical and financial challenges of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia.

The bill provides vital resources and tools to assist caregivers in their demanding role. It also calls for a national summit on Alzheimer's to look at promising research possibilities and programs that are important in fighting this disease and supporting those who are struggling with it.

Alzheimer’s disease poses tremendous human, social and economic burdens on the nation and its effects will be a challenge to us all. The Alzheimer Breakthrough Act is a significant step forward in the fight against this disease.

The Central and Western Virginia Chapter thanks Warner for his leadership in supporting this meaningful legislation that is so vital for Virginia and the nation.