Alzheimer's caregivers need your support

Caregiving is an emotional, physical and financially draining role. Across Washington there are more than 335,000 people providing unpaid care for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. In 2016, caregivers provided 82 million hours of care valued at $4.8 billion.

My loving father was stricken with this debilitating disease. It broke my heart to watch him lose all of his precious memories. We lost him on Dec. 4, 2015.

I support the RAISE (Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage) Family Caregivers Act. It is moving through the U.S. Senate as S. 1028. This bipartisan bill would provide much needed support to our nation’s caregivers.

Endorsed by the Alzheimer’s Association, it would facilitate the creation of a national strategy to address the many issues facing caregivers, including education and training, long-term services and supports, and financial stability.

The RAISE Family Caregivers Act is consistent with the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease, which seeks to expand and enhance training, education and support for caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

Join me in thanking Sen. Patty Murray for voting for the RAISE Act in committee and in urging Sen. Cantwell and Reps. Heck and Kilmer to support this needed legislation in the coming months.

This story was originally published July 20, 2017 at 5:52 PM with the headline "Alzheimer's caregivers need your support."