(TRENTON) Assembly Democrats John F. McKeon and Mila Jasey (Both D-Essex, Morris) introduced on Thursday a resolution urging Congress to doubly increase Alzheimer’s research funding in fiscal year 2016 and to formulate a plan for fiscal years 2017 through 2020 to meet the target funding number identified by the Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Research, Care, and Services, which calls for $2 billion each year in funding for research to reach the goal of effective treatment by 2025.
“The already progressive rate at which Alzheimer’s is affecting the elderly now will double in the next thirty years,” McKeon said. “We must stay ahead of this rapidly developing disease.”
“Maintaining current funding levels through 2016 and beyond will only hinder Alzheimer research, vital care and services for seniors who, simply, wish to live well in their golden years.”
The sixth leading cause of death in the United States, Alzheimer’s is the only disease among the top ten causes of death without an effective means of prevention, treatment, or cure. An estimated 5.2 million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementia. At the current pace, the number of individuals with the disease is expected to reach 16 million by 2050 in the United States and over 115 million globally.
“Many families in New Jersey understand how the effects of Alzheimer’s can dim the once shining light and life in their loved ones,” Jasey said. “Families hope for a cure and we must do more to help them.
“We should be compelled, New Jersey lawmakers and our counterparts on Capitol Hill, to stand with them and support an increase in funding for Alzheimer’s care and research.”
According to the Alzheimer’s Association website, the cost of caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias is estimated to total $226 billion in 2015, increasing to $1.1 trillion by mid-century. Nearly one in every three seniors who dies each year has Alzheimer’s or another dementia.
The measure has not been referred to committee.