Bennet Joins Bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease

Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet this week joined the bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease. Over 200 members in both the House and the Senate are members of the Task Force.

“Alzheimer’s is a terrible disease that takes an emotional and physical toll on its victims and on the families and communities who support them,” Bennet said. “Medical research continues to show promising signs that will help improve the quality of life for Alzheimer’s patients. I look forward to working with the Task Force to educate people about Alzheimer’s and advocate for continued resources for the research of this disease.”

The Task Force’s mission is to help improve the lives of those affected by Alzheimer’s through increased federal resources for research and increased support to Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers.

Background on Alzheimer’s Disease: Alzheimer’s Disease is a progressive brain disorder marked by an irreversible decline in intellectual abilities and by changes in behavior and personality. The disease can span between three and twenty years and ultimately leaves patients incapable of caring for themselves. As a result, Alzheimer’s Disease has a profound effect on the millions of family members and other loved ones who provide most of the care for people with the disease. Approximately 5.4 million Americans suffer Alzheimer's disease or another dementia. In 2010, 14.9 million family members and friends provided 17 billion hours of unpaid care to those with the disease. The cost for care for patients with Alzheimer's disease reached over $90 billion in 2011 from Medicare alone.