National Caregivers Month

Recognizing the Cost of Alzheimer's Caregiving

November 20, 2025

To the Editor:

As National Family Caregivers Month arrives, it is crucial to acknowledge the immense financial and emotional strain placed on families caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's disease. Currently, more than 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, and nearly 12 million individuals provide unpaid care. In Alabama alone, 103,600 people are affected by Alzheimer’s, supported by 219,000 caregivers who dedicate approximately 39 million hours of unpaid assistance each year.

This situation has grown into a significant public health concern that demands effective policy solutions. It is vital to encourage Representative Terri Sewell to continue to advocate for increased funding to address Alzheimer’s-related priorities. This support should include expanded resources for research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), initiatives aimed at reducing risk, and efforts to improve early diagnosis through the identification of biomarkers.

Providing comprehensive support for caregivers is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic investment in the well-being of our communities. Families should not be left to shoulder this immense responsibility on their own.

Let us take advantage of National Family Caregivers Month to advocate for substantial improvements. Together, we can promote policies that genuinely support caregivers and the families impacted by Alzheimer’s disease.

Respectfully,

Tammy R. Davis, RN, Constituent & Alzheimer’s Advocate

Birmingham, Alabama