Alzheimer’s investments

Nearly 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, including 164,000 in Virginia. As a former caregiver for my father, I understand firsthand the impact this disease has on families across America.

The progress we have made since my father’s diagnosis is due to the 2011 bipartisan enactment of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act that fundamentally changed the way we address Alzheimer’s.

I just attended the 2024 AIM Advocacy Forum with my fellow Alzheimer’s Association advocates. I met with Congresswoman Jen Kiggans on Capitol Hill to ask for her support of the following:

BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Reauthorization Act of 2024, which would continue strengthening the Alzheimer’s public health infrastructure to implement dementia interventions such as increasing early detection and diagnosis, reducing risk and supporting the needs of caregivers.

Appropriations, including an additional $318 million in fiscal year 2025 for Alzheimer’s research activities at the National Institutes of Health and $35 million in fiscal year 2025 for implementation of the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Accelerating Access to Dementia & Alzheimer’s Provider Training Act, which will empower primary care providers to better diagnose Alzheimer’s and other dementia and deliver high-quality, person-centered care in community-based settings.

Thank you, congresswoman, for being a champion for those impacted by Alzheimer’s and for cosponsoring the NAPA Reauthorization Act and the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act, which will extend the important work of the NAPA and the Alzheimer’s accountability act to ensure the nation continues to prioritize addressing Alzheimer’s and dementia.

— Gino Colombara, Alzheimer’s volunteer advocate, Virginia Beach