Alzheimer's Researchers Make Cross Country Bike Ride to Raise Awareness
On Tuesday, September 21, the 16th Annual World Alzheimer's Day, over 55 Alzheimer's researchers arrived on Capitol Hill to urge action on the National Alzheimer's Project Act, a bill that would make Alzheimer's a national health care priority. The event was the culmination of cross country bike ride that gathered more than 100,000 signatures supporting the bill.
The event, known as the Alzheimer's Breakthrough Ride, was intended to coincide with World Alzheimer's Day and urge Congress to action on this important issue. In this event, the Alzheimer's research bicycled across the country from San Francisco to Washington, D.C. collection more than 100,000 signatures along the way for their petition to make Alzheimer's a national health care priority. On September 21, the cyclists arrived to deliver the signatures to Congress on Capitol Hill.
Photos of the event can be seen here. Though the event is now over, concerned citizens can still help out by writing Congress to urge them to enact the National Alzheimer's Project Act. You can write your congressperson by going here.
There are currently 5.3 million people in the U.S. with Alzheimer's disease and it is expected to grow exponentionally over the next several decades. It is estimated that by 2050, more than 16 million Americans will have Alzheimer's.
One key factor in dealing the with the problem of Alzheimer's disease is ensuring quality nursing care for patients. Residents with Alzheimer's deserve the highest quality care in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Unfortunately, due to the high level of care they require and the fact that they often cannot speak up for themselves, residents with Alzheimer's are frequently neglected and abuse in nursing homes. If you have a loved one with Alzheimer's in a nursing home or assisted living facility, you should become familiar with how to detect abuse and neglect and take action if you suspect any form of abuse ore neglect.
