My mom was a gifted letter writer, always ready to right a wrong or stand up for the causes she believed in. We lost her to Alzheimer’s disease this past February. I write in her honor and in support of the families who face the daily realities of this devastating illness.
Her diagnosis came late, well into the progression of the disease. The careful, conservative plans my parents had made for retirement unraveled almost overnight. Within 18 months, they relocated across the country to be closer to family. My dad took on the demanding role of primary caregiver for as long as he was able, until the day came when my mom needed to move into a memory care facility.
Like so many families affected by Alzheimer’s, my parents’ lives were abruptly reshaped, bringing profound emotional and financial strain, made even more difficult by the delay in her diagnosis. Legislation now before Congress offers an opportunity to help address these challenges.
A simple blood test can now detect Alzheimer’s before symptoms appear, a transformational advancement. In Iowa, more than 62,000 people are living with Alzheimer’s, yet many receive a diagnosis only after symptoms have significantly advanced, when care becomes far more complex and expensive.
The Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention (ASAP) Act would allow Medicare to cover FDA‑approved blood tests, giving millions earlier access to answers. Just as Medicare coverage of mammograms led to earlier detection and lower cancer‑related costs, this legislation could reduce the growing financial burden Alzheimer’s places on families and the healthcare system. Current law prevents Medicare from covering dementia screening tests for people without symptoms and only Congress can remove this barrier.
Please join me and the Alzheimer’s Association in encouraging Rep. Randy Feenstra, Sen. Chuck Grassley, and Sen. Joni Ernst to support and cosponsor the ASAP Act. To learn more, visit alz.org.
Kathleen Hilliard, Ames
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Alzheimer’s reshaped my family. Let’s make testing easier. | Letter
Reporting by Kathleen Hilliard, Letter to the editor / Ames Tribune
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