Thank you, Mr. Chairman for calling today's hearing. With the number of
Americans living with Alzheimer's disease expected to increase as our
population becomes increasingly older, the need to address it has become
more and more important. Almost half of Americans over 85 are afflicted
with Alzheimer's disease. With no cure and limited treatment options, I am
looking forward to hearing about how we might improve the ways we treat
the disease and minimize its impact on our nation's families.
Because Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, its effects are often felt far
beyond households and the facilities where treatment is administered. In
many cases, the effects can reach an entire community. Finding ways to
provide the special care and attention necessary for this devastating
disease has been a primary goal of cities and states across the nation.
Community organizations have sprung up to offer support, care, and
education to patients, caregivers, medical professionals, and members of
the community.
In my home state of Florida, officials at all levels of government coordinated
to develop a system known as the Silver Alert. The system helps to offer
a uniform response and cater to the unique needs of individuals like those
suffering from Alzheimer's. The first Silver Alert was issued in October
2008 and has since led to the direct rescue of 9 elderly Floridians as of last
week. By knowing some of the symptoms of dementia, like wandering and
confusion, Florida's communities have been able to work together to
improve response and stand ready to assist seniors with special needs.
States like Florida have become a model for the nation. To encourage
other states to adopt similar programs, I joined Chairman Kohl in cosponsoring legislation to bring Silver Alert to a national level. The legislation would improve coordination among law enforcement agencies across jurisdictions to find missing loved ones in need of special care. The bill has already been passed by the House and is currently before the Senate Judiciary committee.
Support from the medical research community is another element critical to
addressing Alzheimer's. Universities and other research institutions are
working to improve understanding of the disease and are developing drugs,
therapies, and other interventions to treat and slow the disease.
Health care communities have sought to establish best practices for
working with patients and caregivers. Many include evidence-based
models for patient care and caregiver support. As a result, some patients
living with Alzheimer's are staying at home longer with family and loved
ones.
Medical researchers have developed a number of the ways to relieve the
burden placed on families caring for loved ones with Alzheimer's. One of
the ways is through the use of assistive technologies. One example of this
includes a talking alarm reminding the patient to take medication on time.
Another is a scale hooked into the Internet so it can send weight and other
vital signs to care providers.
Nationally, organizations have formed to provide information and advocacy,
such as the Alzheimer's Association. These organizations help raise the
nation's awareness about the disease and support efforts at the federal
level to improve the care patients receive.
For all of the advances that have been made to assist Alzheimer's patients,
their caregivers, and their loved ones, there is still much more that can be
done. Right now, the U.S. does not have a coordinated system for longterm
care. People seeking information or services are confronted with a
disjointed and complex web of public and private options. In some cases,
they encounter criminals who know how to defraud a patient or family in
crisis. These concerns are shared with those living with Alzheimer's and
many of America's seniors.
I'm looking forward to hearing testimony from our witnesses today, and
want to thank them for being here. I also want to thank all the caregivers,
health professionals, community leaders and providers who are here. Every
day you work to help our loved ones living with Alzheimer's receive the best
care possible.
I look forward to working together to find ways to understand a disease that
affects so many families in our nation.
I would like to say a few words about Larry Butcher, Chair of the
Board of Directors, Alzheimer's Community Care, Inc. Larry
discovered the organization in late 1999 as an overwhelmed
caregiver who needed to have support, guidance and hands on
intervention that was dementia specific. Jeannette, his beloved
wife, had been diagnosed in 1995, at age 55 with a form of
Alzheimer's disease.
Larry has served on the Board of Directors of Alzheimer's
Community Care since April 2001. He has served as Chair of the
Board of Directors since July 2007. He was appointed by
Governor Jeb Bush as a member of the Florida Alzheimer's
Disease Initiative Advisory Council in 2005 and was reappointed
in 2007. He served as Chair of the Advisory Council in 2007 and
2008 and remains a member. Larry also facilitates a weekly
support group that has an average attendance of 25 plus
caregivers.
Thank you, Larry, for joining us here today.