For most Americans, an active and healthy retirement backed by adequate financial stability is a major concern. When you have Alzheimer’s disease, that stability and, most importantly, your health are in jeopardy. One of the most frightening prospects facing millions of baby boomers fast approaching retirement age is developing Alzheimer’s disease, losing control of their daily activities as a result of the disease, and exhausting their families and finances. While it remains uncertain who the 44th president of the United States will be, it is clear that Alzheimer’s disease must be at the top of the nation’s agenda in order to avoid a health care crisis. Fellow New Jerseyans: now is the time to make your vote count!
Today as many as 5 million people are living with the disease, including as many as half a million under age 65. As the baby boomers age, the number of people with this fatal debilitating disease is expected to triple by mid century if no effective treatments are found. In New Jersey over 350,000 individuals and their caregivers are struggling with Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is already one of the major cost drivers in Medicare and Medicaid – today Alzheimer’s costs Medicare $91 billion a year and Medicaid another $21 billion. By 2015, the two programs will be spending $210 billion just on people with Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease poses a tremendous threat to the retirement security of millions of baby boomers, in part because of the high cost of uninsured long-term care, which averages $205 a day or $74,806 annually for nursing home care.
Everyone needs access to adequate and affordable health care and effective treatments. Unfortunately, those with Alzheimer’s are especially vulnerable to the gaps in the nation’s health care system that can exacerbate their health problems, complicate their care and increase their costs. Avoiding an Alzheimer’s epidemic must be a major priority for the next administration and Congress. As the country readies to elect a new president, a real candid discussion about how to avert this health crisis is imperative. As voters, it is critical to educate ourselves on where the candidates stand on health care reform. Make sure your voice is heard at the polls in November.
For more information about Alzheimer’s and the impact of this year’s elections on this vital issue, please contact [email protected] or (609) 275- 1180.
Gloria Zayanskosky Chair, Public Policy & Advocacy
Committee
Leena Shah
Coordinator, Public Policy &
Advocacy Alzheimer’s Association, Greater
New Jersey
Denville