Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day brings dozens of people to the state capitol building

On Tuesday, there was a large gathering of people wearing purple at the state capitol building.

Over 50 advocates with the Nebraska Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association traveled to Lincoln for a chance to speak with lawmakers.

The purpose? To educate them and the public about Alzheimer’s Disease and encourage them to pass bills supporting families affected by it.

“My family has been personally affected by Alzheimer’s. My father was diagnosed a month before his 62nd birthday and passed away two months after his 66th birthday,” said Emily Gossard, one of the advocates at the capitol building.

Emily is one of thousands in Nebraska who made the shift from being a son or daughter to the primary care giver for a loved once suffering from the disease.

“As a caregiver, I missed numerous hours of work, constantly going there, checking on him,” said Gossard.

Tuesday was also the release of the nationwide Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report.

It’s the 6th leading cause of death in both Nebraska and the U.S.

5.8 million Americans are currently living with the disease, and 34,000 of them are in Nebraska.

“It’s the most expensive disease in America. It will probably cost this country somewhere around $280 billion a year, and by mid–century, the new statistic is, that will move up to about $1.1 trillion,” said Clayton Freeman, Director of Programs and Public Policy at the Alzheimer’s Association Nebraska Chapter.

The advocates would like to see things like tax credits and family leave, for someone who helps a family member with the disease.

Four bills are currently being discussed right now that would help to address it.

“We’re speaking for all of the people who can’t speak for themselves, we’re speaking for all the care givers, anybody living with Alzheimer’s, anybody that has had to deal with it, so it’s an honor to represent all of them,” said Gossard.

Last year, 83,000 caregivers in Nebraska provided close to 100,000,000 hours of care.

The cost for that care in Nebraska added up to be $361 million.

“It’s important that we get a grip on this, because with the thousands of people a day who are turning 65… We’re going to see an epidemic that we’ve never seen before,” said Freeman.