The time to act on Alzheimer’s is now with support for treatment, prevention, caregivers

Every family hopes to grow old with the people they love most. But for millions of Americans, Alzheimer’s disease slowly takes those moments away. It steals patients’ memories, identities, and independence while caregivers carry much of the burden.

As the number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s continues to grow, we can no longer afford to treat this as tomorrow’s problem. Alzheimer’s disease must become one of today’s top public health priorities.

Today, more than 7 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease. It is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and the only disease among the nation’s top 10 leading causes of death without a cure. Unless we act, the number of Americans with the disease is projected to double in the coming decades, placing even greater strain on families, caregivers, and our healthcare system.

Alzheimer’s is on track to cost the United States over $780 billion a year if we don’t do something about it. The growing human and economic toll make clear that addressing Alzheimer’s disease can no longer be delayed.

Preventative healthcare must become a priority for Alzheimer’s disease. Research consistently suggests that physical activity, healthy eating, quality sleep, and social engagement can help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Managing conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes are also associated with a lower risk of dementia.

Encouraging healthier lifestyles and greater access to preventive healthcare can improve quality of life while reducing long-term healthcare costs. Investing in prevention is a decision Congress can make for individuals, families, and taxpayers. Every dollar invested in prevention saves taxpayers several times that amount in future Medicaid and Medicare spending.

Alzheimer’s disease begins long before symptoms appear. Changes in the brain develop years before memory loss becomes noticeable. Fortunately, clinical tools are rapidly changing.

Blood-based biomarker tests can detect Alzheimer’s earlier than ever, allowing patients time to make informed decisions and consider treatment options before significant cognitive decline occurs. Early diagnosis also gives patients the opportunity to adopt healthier habits that research shows may help reduce the risk of dementia.

Access to a timely Alzheimer’s diagnosis and treatment should be available to every person with Alzheimer’s. They deserve the right to know important information about their own health, and physicians should have the tools necessary to provide the best care to their patients.

Congress has introduced the ASAP Act, bipartisan legislation designed to modernize Medicare by covering routine, FDA-approved blood-based biomarker tests for Alzheimer’s disease. Medicare should also ensure that patients can access FDA-approved therapies without unnecessary administrative barriers that can interrupt care.

We also cannot overlook the caregivers who make it possible for loved ones with Alzheimer’s to feel supported and safe. For every patient, there is generally more than one caregiver. Caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease requires a strong support system.

Caregivers often sacrifice their own careers and financial security to take care of their loved one with Alzheimer’s. Taking care of your own mental and physical health is just as vital as managing your loved one’s medical needs. Supporting caregivers through offering resources, education, and respite services is just as important to invest in.

Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease that affects families, caregivers, and healthcare systems long before most people realize the damage it causes. We owe it to families and future generations to invest in science, expand access to care, and support the caregivers who give so much of themselves every day.

Congress has an opportunity to change the trajectory of Alzheimer’s disease. Investing in prevention, earlier diagnosis, and caregiver support today will spare millions of families from greater hardship in future years to come.