Senator Stabenow has received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the Alzheimer’s Association for her work to find a cure for Alzheimer’s, fund research for this disease, and support people living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers and families.
“Throughout her time in office, Sen. Stabenow has been an exceptional champion for the cause who has helped improve access to care and support for individuals living with dementia and their caregivers,” said Robert Egge, Alzheimer’s Association chief public policy officer and AIM president. “On behalf of the Alzheimer’s community, thank you to Sen. Stabenow for her leadership and unwavering commitment to the fight to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.”
Stabenow said in a statement that Alzheimer’s is a heartbreaking disease for patients, caregivers, and families.
“It has stolen away too many loved ones. The Alzheimer’s Association and their dedicated advocates have played a major part in the tremendous progress we’ve made to increase research funding, raise awareness for better treatment, and find a cure. It has been an honor to be their partner for so many years.”
According to a statement from her office, throughout her career, Senator Stabenow has been dedicated to supporting Alzheimer’s patients, their caregivers, and families and finding a cure for the disease. Senator Stabenow’s bipartisan HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act was implemented by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in 2017. This requires Medicare to pay for an individual care plan for newly diagnosed Alzheimer’s patients. Stabenow says the benefit encourages doctors to give a clear diagnosis to patients with Alzheimer’s disease, including information about treatment options and what medical and community services are available.
Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States with nearly 6 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s. More than 11 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s.
