<p><strong>To the editor:</strong></p>
<p>As the policy director for the Alzheimer’s Association in Indiana, I was fortunate to meet with Rep. Trey Hollingsworth to discuss the staggering impact of Alzheimer’s on Indiana and the nation. One in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer’s disease. It is the nation’s costliest disease and the only leading cause of death that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed. Over 2,500 Hoosiers died from Alzheimer’s last year alone, which is why we need elected officials committed to making Alzheimer’s a priority.</p>
<p>In a meeting with Rep. Hollingsworth, my fellow advocate and I shared our own personal experience with this devastating disease, including watching my mom and her siblings serve as caregivers for my grandma for years. I watched the disease take away what made her who she was, to the point she didn’t recognize her own children. Alzheimer’s ultimately took her from us last fall.</p>
<p>During the meeting we emphasized the need to support increased Alzheimer’s research funding and the need to support the BOLD Act, which will develop a state and local infrastructure to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s, support caregivers and promote early diagnosis.</p>
<p>The impact this disease has on Hoosier families is large, is costly and needs to be addressed immediately. Please join me in asking Rep. Hollingsworth for his support in the fight to end Alzheimer’s. Learn how to take action at <a href="http://www.alz.org/advocacy">www.alz.org/advocacy</a>.</p>
<p><p style="text-align: right"><strong>Jason Barrett</strong></p>
<p><p style="text-align: right"><strong>Plainfield</strong></p>
