Freshman U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-8) is demonstrating he values his constituents’ opinions. Less than two months after its introduction, Beyer cosponsored H.R. 1559, the HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act.
As a long-time Arlington resident and someone who recently lost his mother to Alzheimer’s, I appreciate Representative Beyer seeking to do more for families impacted by this disease, the only deadly disease among the top 10 without an effective way to treat, prevent or cure it.
This bill would provide patients and their caregivers a set of comprehensive care planning services after receiving an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. When my mother was diagnosed in 2008, my family was given no guidance on care by her physician and we didn’t know where to seek help. While I helped my father care for her on many weekends, that meant driving to my hometown in western Pennsylvania, which sadly wasn’t something I could do weekly. I am certain most of the 450,000 Alzheimer’s caregivers in Virginia share in this frustration of juggling work and family commitments, especially the many in NoVA who like me, grew up elsewhere.
Thank you again, Representative Beyer, for cosponsoring H.R. 1559. Passage of this bill would help many Virginia families obtain proper care and support for their loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease.
David Lusk
Arlington
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