Jan. 16 — To the Editor:

Recently, I had the opportunity to ask presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg about a subject I care deeply about: Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias (Alzheimer’s) are very personal to me. My husband, Ken, passed away from Younger Onset Alzheimer’s Disease in 2017. My mother and sister also suffer from this disease. Alzheimer’s has dramatically impacted our family, but we're not alone. Nearly 5.8 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s at a cost last year of $290 billion, most of the cost shouldered by Medicare and Medicaid. By 2050, these costs could rise to $1.1 trillion. Alzheimer’s is a public health crisis!

When I asked Pete about tackling Alzheimer’s, I was impressed with his clear plans. Pete understands America is aging and that the only way to stop the toll this devastating disease is taking on families everywhere, as well as the potential bankruptcy of Medicare and Medicaid, is to increase federal research funding to find a cure.

One of the biggest challenges of having a loved one with Alzheimer’s is affordability of the care needed, as it's very difficult to go it alone. As president, Pete is proposing a long-term care program to provide older Americans a daily cash benefit. This would reduce the burden of unpaid caregiving so all seniors, with or without Alzheimer’s, can retire with dignity and economic security.

As a longtime Alzheimer’s activist, I believe it is critical to have a president who understands the severity of the Alzheimer’s public health crisis, is dedicated to improving life for those suffering and their loved ones and also recognizes the need for increased research funding to end this devastating disease. Not only is Pete the right candidate to lead, heal and unite our country, he is also the right candidate to lead our country’s effort to end Alzheimer’s!

Brenda Bouchard



Portsmouth