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LTE – Brad Beckman – 5-25-2016

ALZEHEIMER’S IS THE DEFINING DISEASE OF THE BABY BOOMERS.  Today, more than 10,000 baby boomers a day turn 65. As these baby boomers age, one in eight will develop Alzheimer’s – a devastating, costly, heartbreaking disease.

Increasingly for these baby boomers, it will no longer be their grandparents and parents who have Alzheimer’s – it will be them. Today, more than 5 million Americans have this disease-including 110,000 right here in Wisconsin. An estimated 10 million baby boomers will develop Alzheimer’s – one in eight will either die with or from the disease. While Alzheimer’s is not normal aging, age is the greatest risk factor for the disease. With one of the most unprecedented demographic shifts starting this year, the report underscores the need for urgent attention to change the trajectory of this disease. Beyond the significant toll on families, the financial burden on families is significant and can quickly escalate beyond what is affordable. These costs rival what Alzheimer’s will cost the nation. Over the next 40 years, Alzheimer’s will cost $20 trillion, enough to pay off the national debt and still send a $20,000 check to every man, women and child in America.  With the cooperation of the medical and research communities, we are at tipping point. We have the idea’s, the technology and the will, but we need a focused commitment from the Federal Government. We need transformative, cost –effective strategic solutions to tackle this national public health crisis. So please reach out to our Senators Tammy Baldwin and Senator Ron Johnson and Congressman Sean Duffy. Tell them how this disease is affecting you and your family. Tell them to increase funding to advance research to help us find a cure and treatment for disease affecting 1 out of every 8 Americans.

Brad Beckman
Alzheimer’s Association Advocates