I help care for my mother, who has Alzheimer’s disease. Fellow Washingtonians who attended the recent Alzheimer’s Advocacy Forum in Washington, D.C., tell us it’s encouraging to know we are making progress in the fight against this disease and other dementia.

Having been a caregiver for three years, and a healthcare advocate for over 30 years, I feel strongly about the importance of Alzheimer’s research, care planning for people following an Alzheimer’s diagnosis and palliative and hospice care for patients in the end stage of dementia. I care deeply about this issue because I can see the physical, emotional and financial toll that it takes in caring for my mom. I am blessed with five siblings to share the load, and together we have the financial resources to help my mom, but I know many people who do not.

My 54-year-old friend with Alzheimer’s has a husband who doesn’t know how he is going to keep his business going and care for his wife. My office manager lives with her mom to care for her, effectively working two jobs every day.

Alzheimer’s is the most expensive disease in America, costing more than $236 billion in 2016. Since none of the care provided prevents the disease’s relentless progression towards death, precious lives and scarce resources are simply vanishing. To increase annual funding for National Institutes of Health research on Alzheimer’s — currently just below $1 billion — is a crucial investment. The Senate Appropriations Committee has just approved a bill adding $400 million to that figure. The House Appropriations subcommittee recently followed suit, approving $350 million.

For those who have been diagnosed early, well-informed financial, legal and medical planning drastically improves the quality of life for a person living with dementia. For those in end stages, focusing on symptom management and reduction of pain and stress reduces unnecessary hospitalizations.

Ninth District Congressman Adam Smith, Sen. Patty Murray and Sen. Maria Cantwell have been supportive of Alzheimer’s legislation. I thank and urge them to add $400 million for Alzheimer’s research and also to cosponsor H.R. 3119/S. 2748, which will increase the availability of palliative care and hospice providers.

Ali Schoos

Bellevue