Click here or on the image above to view and download footage from today’s hearing. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Special Committee on Aging, highlighted two bills she is cosponsoring: the Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act and the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act. These measures would take significant steps to prevent and treat Alzheimer’s and expand care for patients facing the disease.

This afternoon, Senator Fischer participated in Aging Committee hearing entitled “Changing the Trajectory of Alzheimer’s: Reducing Risk, Detecting Early Symptoms, and Improving Data.” Fischer also wore purple today to mark Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month and raise awareness of the disease. 

“Today I had the pleasure of visiting with a group of Nebraskans advocating on behalf the Alzheimer’s Association as part of Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. My own family has been affected by this insidious disease, and it was very moving to hear personal stories from caregivers and experts during today’s Senate Aging Committee hearing. By working together and passing legislation, like the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act and the Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act, which I’m cosponsoring, we can improve early detection, expand research, and provide quality care for Alzheimer’s patients,” said Senator Fischer.

The BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act builds upon existing research and treatment initiatives to establish a public health-based approach. It would invest in the infrastructure needed to increase awareness and education, identify best practices, and gather and analyze data for Alzheimer’s and related dementias.

The Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act would expand opportunities for training in palliative and hospice care and offer incentives to attract and retain providers through a variety of grant programs. It would create a national campaign to educate patients, families, and health professionals about the benefits of palliative care. Additionally, this legislation would direct the National Institutes of Health to use existing funds for palliative care research.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, there are approximately 34,000 Nebraskans over age 65 with Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s was the sixth leading cause of death in the state in 2015.