Florida Alzheimer's Disease Summit Sets Model for States

Alzheimer's Association
Friday, 1 March 2002

Tallahassee — A coordinated mobilization of organizations seeking a cure for Alzheimer's disease and a restoration of state funding to programs that help families living with the disease is the focus of an Alzheimer's summit being held today in Florida. "This summit is a model for other states to duplicate to help address the growing health care crisis of Alzheimer's disease," said Bonnie Hogue, the Alzheimer's Association's director of federal and state policy issues.

Sponsored by Florida Speaker of the House-Designate Johnnie B. Byrd Jr. and Rep. Carole Green, chair of the Elder and Long-Term Care Committee, the summit was called to better coordinate the work of a number of organizations in search of a cure and greater state funding for Alzheimer's disease.

"The challenges before us are great," said Hogue in testimony at the summit. "A nationwide Alzheimer's epidemic is imminent. By the middle of this century, as many as 14 million of today's baby boomers could have Alzheimer's disease. For most of them, the process that will eventually destroy their memories, their lives, and their savings has already begun.'

In Florida, approximately 396,000 people currently suffer with Alzheimer's disease. Studies show that figure will increase statewide to as much as 712,962 in the year 2025. The numbers continue to soar after 2025 as the bulk of the babyboomers age. After age 65, one in every 10 Americans has the disease, and after age 85 half of all American get the disease.

"We urge the Florida state legislature to invest in research and address issues surrounding long-term care, nursing home staffing, and in-home and community-based services before it's too late," said Hogue. "Your leadership will set the direction for other states and the Congress."

Unable to attend the summit, actor David Hyde Pierce, star of the TV show 'Frasier' sent the Florida House of Representatives a letter supporting its decision to call an Alzheimer's summit. Hyde Pierce shared his expectations and concerns about the progress of Alzheimer research and the future of the health care system in the face of this disease. "My hopes are based on the breakthroughs that keep coming in research," said Hyde Pierce. "My fears come from the fact that we are running out of time."

Hyde Pierce commended the Florida House of Representatives for its commitment to fight the cruel disease of Alzheimer's and thanked Byrd in particular for his perseverance.

"I applaud Johnnie B. Byrd for turning personal tragedy {his father's died from the disease} into action and for his commitment to help spare others what his family has gone through," said Hyde Pierce.

Hyde Pierce said the summit shows that Florida recognizes Alzheimer's disease as a priority – both legislative and humanitarian. "Your commitment to the fight against this cruel disease can have profound effects, not just in Florida, but nationwide. Families need better treatments, family caregiver support, and quality long-term care options."

The cost to Medicare of treating people with Alzheimer's disease will jump nationally from $31.9 billion today to $49.3 billion in 2010, a 54.5 percent increase in the next ten years, unless a way to prevent or cure Alzheimer's disease is found.

As a spokesperson for the Alzheimer's Association, a board member and member of the national public policy committee, Hyde Pierce reiterated the Alzheimer's Association's commitment to collaborate with state and federal lawmakers in accomplishing the Association's vision of a world without Alzheimer's disease.

"I will make sure our Association makes every effort to collaborate with you and federal lawmakers in accomplishing our vision of a world without Alzheimer's disease," he said.

The Alzheimer's Association is the premier source of information and support for the four 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 nearly $120 million toward research into the causes, treatment, prevention and cure of Alzheimer's. For more information on Alzheimer's disease or the Safe Return Program, please call (800) 272-3900.

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