To the Editor:

May 11 is Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day at the State House. Everyone who is able should attend. We want to see purple all over the State House that morning. Virtually everyone has been or will be touched by this illness directly or indirectly. Alzheimer's is the 6th leading cause of death, there are more than five million cases diagnosed in the U.S. (more than 120,000 in Massachusetts), it is the most expensive illness, there is no cure, no truly effective medications, and no prevention.

The Alzheimer's Association and its advocates are seeking support for three bills at the state level. H.3384 would require dementia training for physicians during their medical education. The second bill (S.360 ,H.516) would require Alzheimer's training for all elder protective services social workers. People with dementia are at greater risk for abuse physically, emotionally and financially. The third bill is the Massachusetts Alzheimer's Project Act (S.1196, H.2057) which would create an office for Alzheimer's disease to coordinate government efforts and ensure appropriate resources are maximized and leveraged.

If you can't join us in Boston on May 11, please contact your state senators and representatives and encourage them to support these bills. As someone who knows firsthand how devastating Alzheimer's is I strongly support these bills.  During my partner's eight-year battle with Alzheimer’s, we encountered physicians who had no idea how to deal with someone who had dementia. I have also seen how easy it is to manipulate someone with dementia. Faye's battle with Alzheimer's ended in October, but I continue the fight on the state and national level. Alzheimer's doesn't care whether you are male or female, where you worship, how old you are, or whether you are gay or straight.  It is an illness that does not discriminate and we all need to join the fight.

Sincerely,

Barbara A. Meehan

Wareham