Today, 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's, including more than 103,600 adults ages 65 and older in Alabama. Alzheimer's and other dementia-related diseases are a rapidly growing public health issue throughout the nation.

As a professional who works in the senior living field, I care for patients who are fighting Alzheimer's and dementia-related diseases. I understand firsthand the impact this disease has on families. I advocate for those residents and their families because they are my adopted families.

Much progress has been made in the fight against Alzheimer's and dementia over the last decade. Thank you to Congress for passing the National Alzheimer's Project Act (NAPA), the Alzheimer's Accountability Act and the Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Reauthorization Act. The BOLD Act is set to expire soon. Updated legislation is urgently needed by people living with Alzheimer's and their caregivers.

I appreciate U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl and other Alabama representatives for their bipartisan support of the BOLD Reauthorization Act, which was unanimously passed in the House. Now, we need the support of Alabama senators.

Please join me in encouraging Sens. Tommy Tuberville and Katie Britt to support the BOLD Reauthorization Act by urging leadership to bring the bipartisan Bold Reauthorization Act, which would direct the CDC to strengthen the public health infrastructure to a vote on the Senate floor.

To learn more about this disease, visit Alz.org.

Amanda Kelly

Summerdale