MISSING ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE PATIENT ALERT PROGRAM REAUTHORIZATION OF 2008 -- (House of Representatives - September 15, 2008)
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Mr. TIM MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Indiana for allowing me to participate in this particular bill to help not only our seniors but everyone who is afflicted, the 5 million Americans who suffer from Alzheimer's disease or dementia. Of these, nearly 3 million, or 60 percent, will become lost from their families or loved ones or caretakers. If not found within 24 hours, up to half will become seriously injured or die.
H.R. 6503, the Missing Alzheimer's Disease Patient Alert Program, will increase the chance of locating missing persons suffering from this disease within the critical first 24 hours. H.R. 6503 authorizes funds for grants for nonprofit organizations to assist in paying for the costs of establishing and operating programs to protect and locate missing patients with Alzheimer's disease.
With police departments now being called upon to find missing elderly, these community organizations are critical in assisting law enforcement officials with their searches. Tips from family and people in the community often lead to the whereabouts of any missing person, including the elderly.
Each year, thousands more Americans are being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. The symptoms of these diseases often leave their victims feeling disoriented, lost, and vulnerable. H.R. 6503, the Missing Alzheimer's Disease Patient Alert Program, provides support to those local programs working everyday to offer these patients protection and their loved ones some peace of mind.
I might add here that just this weekend I found out a dear friend of mine was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's. He's been a long-distance runner for all of his adult life, and ironically enough, he's still able to go out and find trails and run on them, but it is something that his doctors are concerned about for him that one day will he, too, become one who is perhaps lost as he tries to negotiate his community and his neighborhood.
Certainly for folks like my friend and others around the country who are suffering from dementia, early states or later, we have to recognize the value and importance of this bill. I might note this passed the Judiciary Committee unanimously, and I certainly urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation.
With that, I yield back the balance of my time.
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