Raising awareness of Alzheimer’s

Editor:

For the fourth year in a row, we’ve taken our mom’s story to Washington, D.C. A story of a mother that cared for us, becoming the child that we cared for because of her Alzheimer’s dementia. Maybe you’ve heard it shopping at Elder-Beerman, where we offer people the chance to support Alzheimer’s research and a world without this devastating disease that has no prevention, treatment or cure; or maybe you’ve experienced it with a loved one of yours.

In 2016, for every $100 spent on funding Alzheimer’s research, $16,000 is spent by Medicare and Medicaid caring for those with the disease. By every objective standard, Alzheimer’s is one of our most serious health problems — and it will only get worse as the Baby Boomer generation continues to grow older.

At the Alzheimer’s Association Advocacy Forum, we met with Rep. Jim Renacci’s office to ask for his support for an additional $414 million for Alzheimer’s research funding in FY18, to fully fund the National Institutes of Health Alzheimer’s Bypass Budget.

We hope you’ll join us in asking for his support for the mothers, the fathers, the grandparents, the friends and the neighbors out there living with the disease and those that may face it in the future.

As Alzheimer’s advocates, we will continue to tell our story in Columbus, in Washington, D.C., and at the Wayne County Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Wooster High School on Oct. 7. We hope you’ll join us in support, or if you need support for yourself or your loved ones, get a hold of the Alzheimer’s Association’s 24 hour helpline at 800-272-3900.

Jane Croskey

Sue Grossenbacher

Wooster