Tag Archives for dementia

National Report: Brain Health Matters to Most, But Understanding Falls Short

Published in RINewsToday on April 27, 2026

As with the findings detailed in previous reports, the numbers in the Alzheimer’s Association’s recently released 2026 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report are jarring.

In 2026, about 7.4 million Americans aged 65 and older, or roughly 1 in 9, are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Nearly three-quarters are 75 or older, and almost two-thirds are women.

As these numbers continue to rise, the challenges ahead grow even more daunting.  We see the graying of the U.S. population, which has resulted in the number of people living with Alzheimer’s rising sharply, says the report. By 2030, all baby boomers, those born between 1946 and 1964, will be in higher-risk age groups for developing devastating cognitive disorders.  By 2060, Americans with Alzheimer’s could reach 13.8 million.

Over the years, the Facts and Figures reports have become the nation’s primary source of statistics and analysis on Alzheimer’s and other dementias.  The report has been published every year since 2007, and this year’s edition also appears in the April 2026 issue of Alzheimer’s & Dementia®, the Association’s journal.

The 142-page report, released last week, provides updated national and state-level data. Its findings suggest that Alzheimer’s has become more common and challenging for caregivers. The report remains a guiding roadmap for state and federal officials and researchers to combat this serious cognitive disorder.  It also includes a special survey about how Americans aged 40 and older think about and manage brain health.

“The latest data show Alzheimer’s is still a growing challenge for families in Rhode Island,” said Laura Hoffman, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association’s Connecticut and Rhode Island chapters, in a statement announcing the report’s release on April 21, 2026. “That’s why it’s critical to keep progressing research and developing treatments that can improve outcomes and support everyone facing the disease,” she says.

Hoffman stressed that the nationwide crisis demands urgent action now, given the mounting financial burden on caregivers. This year, professional care for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias is expected to cost $409 billion. By 2050, Hoffman warns, this figure could reach nearly $1 trillion.

Caregiving is still mostly handled by family and friends, the report notes. Nearly 13 million relatives and friends provided more than 19 billion hours of unpaid care last year. The value of their efforts is estimated to be a whopping $446 billion.

The report noted that Alzheimer’s is also a growing cause of death.  Since 2000, deaths from the progressive g cognitive disorder have surged by 134%. In the same period, deaths from heart disease have risen by only 3.8%. Today, Alzheimer’s takes more lives than breast and prostate cancers combined.

Rhode Island: By the Numbers

According to the report’s Rhode Island-specific data, about 22,000 Rhode Islanders aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease.  That’s 11.4% of this population group. Another 37,000 people serve as caregivers — many are unpaid family members or friends. So roughly 1 in every 30 Rhode Islanders is caring for someone with the cognitive condition. Together, they provide 53 million hours of unpaid care, valued at $1.5 billion.

In 2025, the State’s Medicaid costs of caring for persons with Alzheimer’s and other Dementias totaled around $ 640 million. Per-capita Medicare spending for these individuals was $33,705, according to the report.

Recently, Rhode Island’s care network relied on just 32 geriatricians and about 8,070 home health and personal care aides to support persons with Alzheimer’s and dementia. To keep up with rising demand for dementia care, Rhode Island’s workforce must expand. The state requires a 23.9% increase in home health aide roles by 2032 and an 18.8% increase in specialist geriatricians by 2050, according to the report.

When comparing national and Ocean State-specific data, Hoffman, who heads the Alzheimer’s Association’s Connecticut and Rhode Island chapters, notes that the nation’s smallest state has the same rising trend in Alzheimer’s prevalence, increasing caregiver burden, and growing strain on health systems.  “As a smaller, aging state, these trends will be felt even more. The impact on families, providers, and community resources is both visible and immediate,” she says.

Hoffman calls for more dementia care professionals across the long-term care continuum. “There is also a need for more respite care, adult day programs, and long-term options that are equipped to treat complex Alzheimer’s or dementia cases,” suggests Hoffman, to fill gaps in providing services, supports, or workforce capacity to care for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients.

With the General Assembly now in session, Hoffman is urging lawmakers to pass HB 7542 or SB 2874, which establishes a Dementia Services Coordinator position within the Department of Health. “This state agency position will support the work of the Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Disease Research and Treatment, oversee implementation of the state Alzheimer’s plan, and serve as a liaison between state agencies, the governor, the legislature, and external stakeholders,” she says.

Understanding and Sustaining Cognitive Health

The Alzheimer’s Association’s 2026 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report comes with a special report, Brain Health in America: Comprehending and Supporting Lifelong Cognitive Health. It is based on a survey of more than 3,800 U.S. adults aged 40 and older.

The special report’s findings show a clear disconnect: most Americans see brain health as a top priority, equal to or even more important than physical health, yet many are unsure how to protect it.

“Americans care deeply about their brain health and recognize that midlife is a critical time to take action,” said Heather M. Snyder, Ph.D., the Association’s senior vice president of Medical and Scientific Relations. “But many don’t know where to start and are looking for clear, practical guidance,” she says.

Almost all respondents said keeping their brains healthy is important, but only 9% feel well informed about it. Many know that sleep, diet, and exercise matter, but fewer people clearly understand how these habits might lower the risk of dementia.

Many respondents expressed concern about their potential declining cognitive health. More than two-thirds of those surveyed admit they worry about their brain health and the chance of developing Alzheimer’s or another dementia. Still, fewer than half of these individuals strongly link healthy lifestyle habits with lowering that risk.

The special report’s findings also reveal that interest in prevention programs is high, but barriers to participation remain. About 73% would consider joining brain health programs, such as cognitive exercises, health monitoring, nutrition advice, or physical activity. However, the program’s cost, location, motivation, and insurance coverage are major obstacles to participation.

Respondents also said they want flexible options. About 40% prefer self-guided programs at home, while 38% like blended formats that mix independent and in-person participation. Only 8% prefer fully in-person programs.

Many say midlife, ages 35 to 64, is a key time for them to act. Nearly two in five respondents think people should start focusing on brain health during these years. Almost half believe formal programs should begin then. About one-third also said brain health should be a lifelong pursuit.

Even with a strong interest, many people say they do not talk often with health care providers about brain health. Two-thirds of respondents said they would like to discuss brain health with their physician.  Most would welcome these talks during regular office visits. Most would welcome these conversations during routine office visits. Still, only a small percentage say they have actually had them.

“These outcomes show a real opportunity to better integrate brain health into routine care,” Snyder said. People are motivated to protect their brain health, but they need clear, effective guidance, she says.

Snyder sees a wider, clear message in the report: Brain health is a lifelong priority, not just a concern in older age, she says. “By connecting efforts across individuals, communities, workplaces, and health care systems, we could support cognitive health and help reduce dementia risk,” she adds.

A Final Note…

With this year’s Alzheimer’s Facts and Figures report released, Hoffman also sees a clear takeaway for Rhode Islanders: “Brain health matters at every stage of life. Take steps now—stay active, eat well, get enough sleep, remain socially engaged, and talk to your healthcare provider about memory concerns,”  she adds.

The Alzheimer’s Association is expanding efforts with community and research partners to deliver evidence-based information and programs. These projects are informed in part by the landmark U.S. POINTER study, which continues to explore how lifestyle interventions may help protect cognitive function.

If you have any questions about Alzheimer’s or any other form of dementia, contact the Alzheimer’s Association 24-7 Helpline at 1/ 800-272-3900.

For a copy of the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2026 Facts and Figures Report, go to Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures

For a copy of this year’s Brain Health in America special report, go to Brain Health in America: Understanding and Supporting Lifelong Cognitive Health.

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For details about the U.S. POINTER study, to https://www.alz.org/us-pointer/study-results

Bipartisan Push to Restore House Permanent Select Committee on Aging

Published in RINewsToday on February 9, 2026

According to Meals on Wheels America, every day, 12,000 Americans turn 60. By the end of this decade, one in four Americans will be over 60—an irreversible and historic change in population.  Yet even as the nation ages, older Americans remain without a permanent seat at the House legislative table to shape aging policy.

In 1993, during the 103rd Congress, the House Permanent Select Committee on Aging (HSCoA) was dismantled as part of a budget-cutting push by House Democratic leadership, which stripped $1.5 million from its funding. From 1974 to 1993, the committee had served as Congress’s primary forum for aging issues, initially with 35 members and ultimately expanding to 65.

Looking back, the HSCoA had handled a heavy workload, carefully scheduling hearings and issuing a steady stream of reports.  In a March 31, 1993 St. Petersburg Times article, Staff Director Brian Lutz of the Subcommittee on Retirement Income and Employment reported that “during its 18 years of existence, the House Aging Committee had been responsible for about 1,000 hearings and reports.”

Sixth Time Could Be the Charm

Since its elimination, House lawmakers have made four attempts to reestablish the committee. Former Rep. David Cicilline first introduced a resolution during the 114th Congress, with efforts continuing through the 117th. In the 118th Congress, Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-RI) picked up the baton and revived the initiative. On January 21, 2026, he once again introduced House Resolution 1013 to restore the panel—this time with bipartisan support, including original cosponsor Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL). At press time, the resolution had been referred to the House Committee on Rules for markup prior to consideration by the full House. No Senate action is required.

More than 30 years later, as the older population surges, Congress’s failure to reinstate a dedicated aging committee is no longer merely an oversight—it is an increasingly costly mistake.

“It is about time — or really past time – for the House to re-establish the HSCoA,” says Max Richtman, president of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM), who served as staff director of the Senate Special Committee on Aging in the late 1980s.

Richtman says that a re-established HCoA would be of tremendous value to older Americans, because it could conduct investigations and develop legislation for the committees of jurisdiction in the House to take up, as the Senate committee historically has done. “We need an HSCoA in the House because its full-time job would be to safeguard the interests of seniors. There is no other House committee that can do that.”

Richtman notes that, without an HSCoA, it can be challenging for other House committees to fully review senior-related issues “that cross jurisdictional lines or involve complex interactions of a wide range of disciplines.”

Opponents argue that eliminating the HSCoA reduced “wasteful” spending, noting that 12 standing committees already have jurisdiction over aging-related issues. Advocates counter that these committees lack the time, staffing, and singular focus needed to examine aging issues comprehensively, as the select committee once did.

“Older Americans are an important and growing part of our population, and they deserve a seat at the table when Congress considers issues that directly affect their lives,” said Rep. Magaziner. “Protecting Social Security and Medicare, strengthening housing stability, and lowering everyday costs—including prescription drugs—highlight the need for a dedicated committee focused on improving seniors’ quality of life.”

“I am proud to reintroduce bipartisan legislation to reestablish the House Permanent Select Committee on Aging so we can better deliver for older Americans nationwide,” he added. “This committee would bring members of Congress together for meaningful work on the challenges and opportunities that come with aging, and I remain committed to working across the aisle to advance this effort.”

Magaziner has acknowledged entrenched opposition from senior committee leaders of both parties who are reluctant to cede jurisdiction. Nevertheless, he remains committed. “I will continue working to ensure older Americans have the focused advocacy they deserve in Congress,” he pledged.

Magaziner’s resolution has been endorsed by the Legislative Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO), a national coalition of advocacy groups currently chaired by Richtman and NCPSSM. “The Select Committee would have an opportunity to more fully explore a range of issues and innovations that cross jurisdictional lines, while holding field hearings, engaging communities, and promoting understanding and dialogue,” said LCAO in a letter supporting the resolution.

An Easy Fix

According to the Congressional Research Service, creating a temporary or permanent select committee requires only a simple resolution establishing its purpose, defining membership, and outlining responsibilities. Funding for staff salaries and operational expenses are authorized through the Legislative Branch Appropriations bill.

Magaziner’s  203-word resolution, amends House rules to establish a Permanent Select Committee on Aging. The committee, having no legislative authority, would be charged with conducting comprehensive studies of aging issues—including income, poverty, housing, health, employment, education, recreation, and long-term care—to inform legislation considered by standing committees. It would also encourage public and private programs that support older Americans’ participation in national life, coordinate governmental and private initiatives, and review recommendations from the President or the White House Conference on Aging.

Aging policy touches nearly every aspect of American life, yet it does not fall neatly within the jurisdiction of any single standing committee. Depending on the legislative, five to seven standing committees may draft a bill affecting older Americans. Without an HSCoA, pressing aging issues may be ignored.  A focused  committee would bring together Republican and Democratic lawmakers from multiple committees to closely comprehensively examine legislative proposals, both transparently, and responsibly.

While standing committees draft legislation, the HSCoA would serve a distinct but equally vital role—providing oversight, public education, and keeping the spotlight on aging issues. Key priorities include ensuring the solvency of Social Security and Medicare, lowering prescription drug costs, supporting family caregivers, combating elder fraud, and addressing affordable housing, healthcare access, and social isolation.

For more than 60 years, the Senate has recognized the value of its Special Committee on Aging. The House once did as well—producing lasting, bipartisan results. The People’s House should reclaim that leadership, particularly as older Americans face rising costs, employment barriers, and growing loneliness.

Capitol Veterans Speak Out to Bring Back HSCoA

According to Bob Weiner, former HSCoA chief of staff director during the tenure of the late Rep. Claude Pepper (D-FL) his tenure as select committee chair, the legislative panel elevated aging issues that otherwise struggled to gain sustained attention in Congress. “The bill stopping end to mandatory retirement would never have happened,” says Weiner who was a confidant of Chairman Pepper.

He recalls how it unfolded: “Chair Pepper and the committee got the President and Congress to abolish age-based discrimination in employment and mandatory retirement. President Carter invited the entire committee to the White House and later signed the bill with a powerful statement.”

“Pepper even went to the Bush and Reagan administrations and said, ‘Over my dead body’ would Social Security be cut or privatized,” Weiner added.

If reestablished today, Weiner believes the committee should draw lessons from its past. “We need full-scale investigations into fraud and scams, along with strong protections for Social Security and the Older Americans Act,” he said. He also argues the committee could play a critical oversight role in accelerating research into Alzheimer’s disease. “Seniors are justifiably terrified of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Advances in biological treatments may offer hope for prevention and reversal.”

Responding to standing committee concerns about jurisdiction, redundancy, and budgetary impact, Weiner dismisses claims of duplication. “The Aging Committee uniquely focused on aging priorities. That focus is sadly missing today,” he said.

Weiner also urged Rep. Magaziner to visibly demonstrate his commitment to recreating the House Aging Committee. “If he talks it up around the House floor like Pepper did, he’ll earn goodwill and support from members of both parties,” he said. “It is crucial that House Res. 1013 pass the Rules Committee. Nothing meaningful on aging will happen without dedicated congressional leadership.”

Momentum or Missed Opportunity

With the midterm elections just 266 days away, and now that Rep. Magaziner has secured support from a Republican lawmaker, he must continue building bipartisan momentum. None of the previous five attempts to restore the House Aging Committee attracted Republican cosponsors.

In the 119th Congress, Magaziner should seek endorsement from the bipartisan House Problem Solvers Caucus, led by Co-Chairs Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) and Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY-03).  Aging policy should not be considered a partisan issue but a bipartisan one.

It would also be extremely helpful for Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar to reach out to the Republican House Caucus, especially to the Florida Congressional Delegation (20 Republicans and 8 Democrat) to become cosponsors of H. Res. 1013, honoring the legacy of the late Rep. Claude Pepper, Florida’s most prominent chair of the House Select Committee on Aging.

“What made the House Aging Committee truly influential was Claude Pepper’s leadership. Others chaired the committee before and after him and did good work, but none brought national attention to aging issues the way Pepper did. Even today, members of Congress still say, ‘We need another Claude Pepper,’  says Thomas Spulak, president of the Claude Pepper Foundation and former chief council when Pepper chaired the House Rules Committee.

“While that will never happen, it would take someone with a rare combination of commitment, visibility, empathy, and knowledge to restore that level of importance to an aging committee, this is exactly why resolutions like this one matter—to remind us of what effective leadership on aging once looked like, and what it could look like again,”  Spulak observed.

The Claude Pepper Foundation should engage these lawmakers to encourage their active involvement in restoring the committee. In addition, the Claude Pepper Foundation should educate lawmakers on the positive benefits of restoring the committee. According to the Foundation’s core mission is to promote policies and programs that improve health, expand economic opportunity, and advance social justice for all Americans—especially older adults. It also seeks to provide policymakers and the public with research and information on these issues, and to encourage actions that enhance the quality of life for all citizens.

Ageism by Omission

“Ageism is as much about what you don’t do and what you do the failure to establish the HSCOA is one obvious example  Why is a HSCOA vitally needed. To help avert Possible major cuts in Social Security in as soon as 7 years. Getting a family caregiver tax credit passed. Renewing the Older Americans Act This House has done so little for older adults. Passing the Magaziner resolution would go a long way to improve on this sad record,”  adds a Bob Blancato, a staff person serving the committee from 1978 to 1993 and now president of Matz, Blancato and Associates,

Every Step Counts: Rhode Island’s Annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s

Published in RINewsToday on September 1, 2025 

“With new treatments emerging in the fight again Alzheimer’s and all other dementias, now is the time for hope. Now is the time for action,” says the Alzheimer’s Association, which organizes the world’s largest fundraiser to combat the disease.

Earlier this year, the Alzheimer’s Association released its 2025 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, which underscores the growing prevalence of Alzheimer’s across the United States. Today, over 7 million Americans are living with the disease, with numbers expected to rise sharply in the coming decades. Twenty-two thousand people in Rhode Island are living with Alzheimer’s.

According to the report, Alzheimer’s-related deaths have more than doubled between 2000 and 2021. One in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia and Alzheimer’s kills more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. Alongside the devastating emotional impact, Alzheimer’s also places an immense financial burden on families and communities. Over 12 million Americans serve as unpaid caregivers for loved ones living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

The Alzheimer’s Association has been at the forefront of the fight against the disease, particularly through its annual fundraising efforts like the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Since its inception in 1989, this nationwide initiative has raised billions of dollars for Alzheimer’s care, prevention, treatment, and research.

Last year alone, the Alzheimer’s Association Rhode Island Chapter was a proud participant in this effort, alongside 73 other chapters across the U.S. The Rhode Island Chapter, which is committed to supporting local families and advancing

The Rhode Island Chapter’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s is a key event that provides an opportunity for local cities and towns to come together, raise awareness, and generate crucial funds for Alzheimer’s care and research. This year, Rhode Island’s five Walk events will kick off on September 7 in Block Island and continue across the state, including Newport (September 21), Northern Rhode Island (September 27), Westerly (October 5), and Providence (October 19).

Kristen Cusato, Director of Communications for the Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut and Rhode Island Chapter, shares that over 700 participants have already registered for the walks, forming 214 teams. She anticipates this number will grow to 2,700 participants across 372 teams by the time the walks take place.

A powerful example of local commitment to the cause is Women’s Ice Hockey Olympic Gold Medalist AJ Mleczko, who, will attend the Block Island walk. Known for her advocacy work with the Alzheimer’s Association, Mleczko has a personal connection to the disease—both her mother, Bambi, has Alzheimer’s and her maternal grandmother passed away from the devastating cognitive disorder.  Mleczko will share her family’s experience and highlight the importance of raising funds to support those affected by the disease.

With a fundraising goal of $730,000, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s events are crucial to the Rhode Island Chapter’s efforts to support Alzheimer’s research and community programs. “These events provide powerful opportunities to unite in the fight against Alzheimer’s while raising essential funds for care, research, and support services,” says Donna McGowan, Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Association Rhode Island Chapter. “Every step taken brings us closer to a world without Alzheimer’s, and your participation can make a tangible difference in the lives of those affected.”

Rhode Island Communities Walk Together

The Rhode Island Chapter is proud to be part of the Alzheimer’s Association’s broader mission as the world’s largest non-profit funder of dementia research. With over $1 million currently being invested in local research projects, the chapter’s efforts are directly impacting the lives of Rhode Islanders affected by Alzheimer’s. “Our funds go directly back into the community to support various programs and services,” McGowan says. “These efforts help individuals living with Alzheimer’s, their loved ones, and anyone eager to join us in the fight.”

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s Day holds a special place in the hearts of many, according to McGowan. “It’s truly incredible,” she says. “After the program and Promise Garden ceremony, you realize you’re not in this battle alone. It’s the largest support group, where you can share your story and feel a sense of connection.”

One of the most touching examples of dedication to the cause comes from the Greenman family. For the past seven years, they have participated in the Block Island Walk to End Alzheimer’s through Team Peter and Sandy. The team was founded by Peter Greenman in honor of his wife, Sandy, who passed away in April 2024 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Peter himself passed away shortly after one of the walks in 2020. Today, their daughter, Sarah Greenman Barclay, leads the team, continuing her parents’ legacy and raising awareness in the fight against Alzheimer’s.

Spotlight on One of the Best

Last year, Team Peter and Sandy raised over $119,000, earning national recognition as the 19th-ranked fundraising team in the country. Over the past seven years, they have raised nearly $500,000. Greenman Barclay credits much of their success to the Block Island community and the support from the Roosa Foundation, which provided match incentives.

“Being part of a top fundraising team was amazing,” Greenman Barclay reflects. “The Block Island community has been incredibly supportive, and we’ve made so many friends across the country who are just as passionate about the cause, even though they never met my parents.”

Greenman Barclay believes that participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s not only raises crucial funds but also brings the community together, accelerating the discovery of a cure. “It truly takes a village to fight this disease,” she says. “When we walk together, we send a powerful message that we are not alone.”

It’s not too late to register or volunteer for a local walk. Individuals can still participate, fundraise, or sign up as volunteers for event setup, registration, and more. To get involved, visit the event website:

https://act.alz.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=walk_volunteer#searchform.

If you have any questions about Alzheimer’s or dementia, call the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline at 1-800-272-3900 or visit alz.org/ri.