The Alzheimer’s Association, AARP Kentucky, and the Kentucky Association for Gerontology hosted Advocacy Day on Wednesday at the state Capitol to bring awareness to the increased occurrences of Alzheimer’s disease as well as other dementias. They addressed the escalating number of family caregivers throughout the state, the vital importance of aging programs, and services for Kentucky seniors and caregivers.
The three organizations and over 250 advocates rallied in the Rotunda seeking critical supports and services for all seniors and their caregivers. Alongside their advocates, the Alzheimer’s Association spent the morning and afternoon at the state capitol discussing the impact of Alzheimer’s disease on Kentucky residents with legislators.
Governor Matt Bevin also took time from his busy schedule to address the group in the rotunda, noting the importance of advocacy for seniors and encouraging seniors to take an active role in their state and local governments. He also supported in-home care and ways to make living at home more accessible for seniors
Advocacy Day provided opportunities for advocates to meet face-to-face with their state elected officials and share their personal stories of how Alzheimer’s has impacted their lives. Alzheimer’s disease has far reaching effects that can plague entire families.
In 2014, friends and family members provided 306 million hours of unpaid care valued at nearly $3.8 billion in the Commonwealth. Kentucky caregivers’ own health care costs are $161 million higher due to the stress of caregiving.
“Advocacy Day was a great way to inform state legislators about the toll this disease has on individuals and families,” said Bari Lewis, chapter Director of Community Outreach for the Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana. “We need ongoing support and services in Kentucky and the best way to do that is to rally together as a unified voice.”
Representatives from AARP and the Kentucky Association for Gerontology spoke as well as Representative Leslie Combs from District 94, Representative Kim King from District 55 and Senator Ray S. Jones from District 31.
Alzheimer’s continues to be the most expensive condition in the nation. The total national cost of caring for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias reached $226 billion in 2015 (up from $214 billion in 2014), with half of the costs borne by Medicare. State governments are increasingly on the front lines in addressing the Alzheimer’s crisis, the care and support needs of families facing the disease and its impact on local economies.
To find out more about the local advocacy program, visit alz.org/kyin.
According to the Association’s 2015 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, there are nearly 70,000 people living with Alzheimer’s and 269,000 caregivers in Kentucky. The number of Kentucky residents living with the disease is projected to jump to 86,000 by 2025.
From the Alzheimer’s Association