Jennifer Rackers
Jefferson City
Dear Editor:
One in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s disease. The only leading cause of death in the U.S. that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed, it is imperative that we have elected officials who are working to make Alzheimer’s a national priority.
As an Alzheimer’s Association advocate, I was fortunate to meet with U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer to discuss the staggering impact of Alzheimer’s in Missouri and across the nation. In a meeting at his district office, my fellow advocates and I shared our own personal experience with this devastating disease.
The 116th Congress recently reintroduced the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act (PCHETA) and I want to thank Luetkemeyer for quickly co-sponsoring PCHETA — this was an outstanding demonstration of his support for this bi-partisan legislation. PCHETA would increase palliative care and hospice training for health care professionals, launch a national campaign to inform patients and families about the benefits of palliative care, and enhance research on improving the delivery of palliative care. As a health-care professional, I believe it’s important as the demand for such coordinated care grows with the aging population, more must be done to improve their quality of life and care.
Please join me in thanking Luetkemeyer for his continue support in the fight to end Alzheimer’s, and we look forward to visiting you on the Hill on April 2!