Tuesday, the federal government set a deadline to find ways to treat, or at least stall, the disease. It is called the National Alzheimer's Plan.

That deadline is in just 13 years in 2025.

Today 5.4-million Americans have Alzheimer's or related dementia. Already, it's the sixth-leading killer in the U.S.

New research estimates by 2050, up to 16-million Americans will have the disease.

People in the Valley touched by the disease are already thinking about what Tuesday's announcement means.

“You know, I think until they get something more concrete they really should not come out because that really just gets your hopes up that there's going to be something that stops it for your loved one,” said Patsy Wood, who's husband suffers from Alzheimer's.

Patsy Wood's husband, Tim, has had Alzheimer's for the past nine years and she has heard the promises of a cure since the beginning.

She soon learned to not take any promises too seriously.

“Every doctor that you talk to, even the doctors can't agree on what causes Alzheimer's or exactly what's going on.".

The Daily Living Center is a day care center for Alzheimer's patients. Executive Director of the Daily Living Center Terry Team said finding a cure to Alzheimer's will not be easy.

“They've got to find out really what's causing, and why is this happening,” said Team. “Because it's happening to too many. The numbers are increasing. I think it's what, every 60 seconds or so somebody's diagnosed.”

She sees many families on a daily basis that do not understand everything about the disease.

She hopes Tuesday's announcement is the start of a nationwide education about the disease.

“Sometimes even families struggle with, 'I can't believe this is happening, and why is this happening and why are they doing this or why are they doing that.' Just trying to educate the families and giving them support, for me, is the most important thing.”

Wood was cautious about the president's announcement. Decades of research have already been done to find the cure, and she thinks the cure is a long way off.

“I don't think it would be realistic,” said Wood. “I mean, you know, look at how long they've been working on cancer. Thirteen years would be very progressive, to think they they would have Alzheimer's cured in 13-years.

Patsy's husband's has a genetic version of Alzheimer's and she said she knows today's announcement will not be able to help him.

She hoped something will be in place to prevent her son from getting the disease.

You can find more more information about the disease at  Alzheimers.gov

You can look up various treatment options to ease the symptoms and find information on caring for someone with the disease.

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