Ohio Retired Social Worker Living with Early-Onset Alzheimer's Testifies

Alzheimer's Association
Wednesday, 14 March 2001

"Alzheimer's disease is the unfairest tax of all. It robs its victims and their families of the health and happiness a lifetime of labor deserves," testified Herman "Chip" Gerber, an Ohio retired social worker living with early-onset Alzheimer's, as he urged Congress to boost research funds to $1 billion to find a cure for this devastating disease.

Four years ago at the age of 51, Gerber was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's. "At the time of my diagnosis, I was spending a few afternoons a week helping to care for my then 83-year-old mother who also has Alzheimer's, my grandmother suffered from the disease as well," Gerber testified.

"I know from my experiences, that for every Alzheimer's patient suffering with the disease, there are family members struggling to cope with the suffering of a loved one; the physical and emotional strain of providing 24-hour care; and a financial hardship that averages about $174,000 per person."

Recently Gerber and his family had to make the difficult and emotional decision to move their mother, now 87, into an assisted living facility. "I know that it was the best thing to do for my mother," said Gerber. "I'm painfully aware that someday in the future, my wife and children may have to make a similar decision concerning my care."

Prior to his diagnosis, Gerber worked for more than 22 years as a licensed social worker, serving as a Court Appointed Guardian for abused, neglected and exploited senior citizens, many of whom had Alzheimer's or other memory impairments. "My job was demanding and at times emotionally challenging, but I truly loved being a social worker," said Gerber. "Unfortunately after my diagnosis, I decided to take early retirement when it became clear that I could not handle the responsibilities of my job."

Married for 25 years, Gerber still leads an active and full life spending time with family and friends. He and his wife Sharon are members of the first and only support group for persons with early-onset Alzheimer's disease in the Canton, Ohio community.

"Whether or not Alzheimer's disease has touched your family – and the chances are it has – the truth is that we are all affected. Ordinary citizens. Members of Congress. Even Presidents," Gerber testified. "It is hard to think of an illness more unmerciful, or less treatable than Alzheimer's. It penalizes spouses who must endure years of stressful caregiving. And it deprives children of that treasure of memories only a parent can impart."

This year, the government will spend about $515 million on Alzheimer research. "Yet, if we can find a way to delay the onset of Alzheimer's, if only for five years, our nation will save $50 billion in annual health and long term costs," said Gerber.

Caring for individuals with Alzheimer's is siphoning $100 billion from our society every year. It drains $33 billion annually from businesses that lose the productivity of able-bodied workers who either fall victim to Alzheimer's or who must take time off to care for loved ones. It affects all Americans because, on average, Medicare spends 70 percent more to care for someone who has Alzheimer's than other beneficiaries. And that, in turn, threatens the long-term solvency of the Medicare program and the well being of future generations.

Alzheimer's strikes one in every ten Americans over age 65, and half of all people age 85 and over. Today, 4 million people suffer from Alzheimer's. That number will increase to 14 million as babyboomers enter the age of highest risk.

Congress has been instrumental in boosting appropriations for Alzheimer's disease research – an investment that has already begun to pay off. "In the last year alone, scientists have developed new drugs to treat some of the disease's symptoms and completed early trials of a vaccine that may help prevent Alzheimer's," Gerber testified.

The Alzheimer's Association is the premier source of information and support for the 4 million Americans with Alzheimer's disease. Through its national network of chapters, it offers a broad range of programs and services for people with the disease, their families, and caregivers and represents their interests on Alzheimer-related issues before federal, state, and local government and with health and long-term care providers.

The largest private funder of Alzheimer research, the Association has committed more than $100 million toward research into the causes, treatment, prevention, and cure of Alzheimer's. You can reach the Alzheimer's Association at (800) 272-3900.

For more information, or to contact Alzheimer's Association, see their website at: www.alz.org