Advocates urge Kentucky lawmakers to fund Alzheimer’s research

FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Advocates are urging Kentucky lawmakers to take action on what they call a growing public health crisis: Alzheimer’s disease.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 80,000 Kentuckians are living with Alzheimer’s, while nearly twice as many serve as caregivers for loved ones with the disease.

Advocates are asking the Kentucky General Assembly to allocate $5 million in state funding for Alzheimer’s research.

Budget leaders in the legislature have said this year’s spending decisions will come down to “needs, not wants.” However, supporters say investing in research could help reduce long-term healthcare costs.

“We spend about $1 billion a year in Medicaid on care for those living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia,” Natalie Sutton, Kentucky Alzheimer’s Association Executive Director, said. “But currently, nothing in state-funded research. So, we want to get ahead of this and build for the future.”

Advocates are also asking lawmakers to help the state Alzheimer’s council develop an early detection and diagnosis toolkit.

They say early detection is critical because new treatments are now available that can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s — but only when the disease is diagnosed in its early stages.