Senator Stabenow to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award from Alzheimer’s Association

Stabenow Honored for Longstanding Leadership on Alzheimer’s Policy

Monday, April 08, 2024

WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Stabenow will receive the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the Alzheimer’s Association for her work to find a cure for Alzheimer’s, fund research for this disease, and support people living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers and families. 

“Alzheimer’s is a heartbreaking disease for patients, caregivers, and families. It has stolen away too many loved ones,” said Senator Stabenow. “The Alzheimer’s Association and their dedicated advocates have played a major part in the tremendous progress we’ve made to increase research funding, raise awareness for better treatment, and find a cure. It has been an honor to be their partner for so many years.” 

“Throughout her time in office, Sen. Stabenow has been an exceptional champion for the cause who has helped improve access to care and support for individuals living with dementia and their caregivers,” said Robert Egge, Alzheimer’s Association chief public policy officer and AIM president. “On behalf of the Alzheimer’s community, thank you to Sen. Stabenow for her leadership and unwavering commitment to the fight to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.”

Throughout her career, Senator Stabenow has been dedicated to supporting Alzheimer’s patients, their caregivers, and families and finding a cure for the disease. Senator Stabenow’s bipartisan HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act was implemented by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in 2017. This requires Medicare to pay for an individual care plan for newly diagnosed Alzheimer’s patients. This benefit encourages doctors to give a clear diagnosis to patients with Alzheimer’s disease, including information about treatment options and what medical and community services are available.

Senator Stabenow has led the effort to support families across the country dealing with Alzheimer’s disease. The Senator’s bipartisan Comprehensive Care for Alzheimer’s Act would reduce medical complications for Alzheimer’s patients by creating a new way to fund dementia care through Medicare. This new model of managing care can help reduce hospitalizations and emergency department visits and delay nursing home placement, which improves the quality of life for patients and makes treatment more affordable. The Senator’s bipartisan Concentrating on High-Value Alzheimer’s Needs to Get to An End (CHANGE) Act would encourage early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s.

Senator Stabenow’s commitment to addressing Alzheimer’s disease has been long-standing. It started while she was serving in the State Legislature in the 1980s. There the Senator chaired the Joint Subcommittee on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders and led the development of Michigan’s first strategy to help Alzheimer's patients and their families.

Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States with nearly 6 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s. More than 11 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer’s.

# # #