Alzheimer's Disease Awareness

Every 72 seconds, someone in America develops Alzheimer's Disease. By mid-century, someone will develop Alzheimer's every 33 seconds.
- National Alzheimer's Association

Alzheimer's Disease is currently the fourth leading cause of death among adults and the third most costly disease, after heart disease and cancer.  In 2007, approximately 5.1 million Americans were afflicted with Alzheimer's Disease.  This alarming figure includes at least 200,000 under the age of 65 with early onset.  This progressive brain disorder has no single cause but within the last fifteen years, scientists have learned a great deal about factors that may play a significant role in the development of the disease.  Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia and causes irreversible cognitive decline as a result of various biological mechanisms that cause catastrophic damage to brain cells.  Alzheimer's disease affects memory, the ability to generate coherent speech or understand spoken or written language.  It also affects the capacity to make sound judgments and carry out complex tasks.  The disease becomes so severe that eventually the individual becomes incapable of carrying out simple daily routines.  Alzheimer's disease is fatal and individuals with Alzheimer's usually die an average of eight years after first experiencing symptoms, but the duration of the disease can vary from three to twenty years.  In the final stage of the disease, the individual becomes incapable of communicating, recognizing loved ones and virtually bedridden.

New treatments are on the horizon and research has shown that effective care and support can improve the quality of life for individuals and their caregivers over the course of the disease.  It is estimated that the costs to care for the 5.1 million afflicted Americans is approximately $148 billion annually and will skyrocket to $189 billion by 2015.  In addition to medical expenditures, costs for state and federal Medicaid spending for nursing home care was $21 billion in 2005 and is projected to increase to $27 billion by 2015.  Costs to employers of caregivers currently total $36.5 billion, resulting from lost productivity, missed work, and costs to replace workers who must leave their jobs to meet the demands of care giving.  There are more than 10 million Americans caring for someone with Alzheimer's.  Another alarming statistic is the out of pocket expenses incurred by these individuals.  The figures show that as the disease progresses, these expenses multiply more rapidly than those for people afflicted with heart conditions, strokes, diabetes and cancer.  Funding for care is high in assisted living, nursing homes or private home settings.  Home health aide costs average $152 per day.  Assisted living residence can cost $40,000 per year and a private room in a nursing home facility cost approximately $75,000 in 2006.  It is obvious that an enormous financial burden exists for caregivers and the health care system in this country.  In order to curb this health crisis, we must act boldly and quickly.  We must advocate for intense and aggressive research to find a cure.

My personal involvement began in 2003 when my grandmother died of Alzheimer's disease.  After experiencing the disease in my own family, I wanted to help others.  I began volunteering at local hospice centers.  I organized sporting events for friends and family to heighten awareness and raise funds for the Alzheimer's Association.  I founded a support group, F.A.C.T. through which I raise money to continue educating people about the disease.  I authored a cookbook, which was sold throughout Rhode Island and have spoken with high school and college aged students about care giving in the future.  I will continue my efforts to educate the public, especially our youth, as they will be the care givers of tomorrow.  I will continue to volunteer at local hospice centers and to raise money for a cure.

As Miss Rhode Island, I will travel the state, raising awareness in our schools, government and communities.  I will utilize the Miss Rhode Island website to encourage young women to become active in the race for a cure for Alzheimer's Disease and to publicize events for the cause.  I will continue to speak to the youth at area schools and coordinate field trips to local hospice centers where the students will spend time with patients of Alzheimer's disease.  In addition I will work tirelessly for the Miss Rhode Island Organization and the Children's Miracle Network.  I will partner with agencies like the R.I. Alzheimer's Association.  I will establish communication with the National Institute on Aging and the Alzheimer's disease centers which are funded by NIA.  As Miss Rhode Island, I will also work closely with Hasbro Children's Hospital, a member hospital of the Children's Miracle Network, speaking to prospective donors and benefactors and providing comfort to families and music to the children.  Each day I hope to inspire others to embrace efforts toward finding a cure for Alzheimer's disease and for providing comfort to children and their families.  In this way, I will strive to lead the way to improving the quality of life for future generations.