Earlier Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Needed

At a time when nearly 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, including over 188,000 in Georgia, prioritizing how this devastating disease is addressed remains a critical issue for our country. As a former caregiver for my wife living with Alzheimer’s, I understand firsthand the impact this disease has on families across America. My wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease at age 56. The diagnosis took nearly three years yet explained the strange behaviors she was exhibiting and was a shock at the same time. However the diagnosis did not have to take that long if her primary care physician had been trained to recognize and test for the symptoms. Many physicians lack this critical knowledge. Slow diagnosis like we experienced cost us three good years of time together when we could have traveled and she could have more fully engaged with family and friends. Instead we had to rush to put together a care plan, financial and healthcare documents let alone live in a world of guessing and unknowing.

Thankfully, Congresswoman Nikema Williams and Congressman Rich McCormick can take action today to address the Alzheimer’s and dementia public health crisis in Georgia and across the nation. I am asking them to support the Accelerating Access to Dementia and Alzheimer's Provider Training (AADEPT). The legislation would would provide grants to expand virtual education and training on Alzheimer’s and dementia so that more PCPs better understand detection, diagnosis, care, and treatment – and so that more providers in rural and underserved communities can receive dementia training. By offering training to PCPs we can detect the disease earlier and offer families access to newly developed drug therapies. These therapies can provide valuable time for those with the disease their caregivers and families.

Please join me and the Alzheimer’s Association in urging Congresswomen Williams and Congressman McCormick to continue our nation’s commitment to the fight against Alzheimer’s and other dementia by passing AADAPT.

To learn more about this disease and how you can join the fight, visit alz.org.