Congratulations to Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Bed-Stuy, Brownsville, East New York, Canarsie, Mill Basin, Coney Island & South Ozone Park, Howard Beach in Queens) on being elected Democratic Caucus chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives. Rep. Jeffries has shown a willingness to work for positive change in a bi-partisan manner and find solutions to the issues that impact families most, like accessing quality, affordable health care.
Alzheimer’s disease has become a public health crisis, costing Americans $277 billion annually. The disease impacts families at all socioeconomic levels.
In the eight years my grandmother suffered with Alzheimer’s, it took a physical toll on my entire family. Especially for my mother, who lived with her for many years. The additional physical and emotional stress effected my mother’s own health. She, like caregivers across the country, incurred additional costs for her own health care that were directly related to caregiving. I am passionate about raising awareness about the need to support Alzheimer’s caregivers. That is why I became an Alzheimer’s Association, New York City Chapter ambassador.
I applaud Rep. Jeffries for voting yes on the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act, which was recently signed into law.
BOLD will establish Alzheimer’s Centers of Excellence to promote early detection and diagnosis, as well as innovative and effective interventions to help caregivers with the challenges of caring for someone with cognitive loss. A national public health crisis calls for a coordinated public health response, and the passage of this legislation is a huge step in the right direction.
Darcy McCarthy is a volunteer Alzheimer’s Association, New York City Chapter ambassador. She works in the health care industry and lives in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn.
