WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema cosponsored the Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Act—bipartisan legislation that helps provide critical training and relief to Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers in Arizona.
“Family caregivers often shoulder intense responsibility while caring for loved ones. Our bipartisan legislation provides critical training and support to Arizonans who care for loved ones living with Alzheimer’s or dementia,” said Sinema.
The Sinema-backed Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Act ensures that family caregivers caring for people with Alzheimer’s or dementia receive the necessary training to properly care for their loved ones and builds up state and community capacity to provide Arizona families with additional support. Those eligible to receive these grants include community health centers, senior centers, and state agencies.
In 2021, it is projected that caring for people with Alzheimer’s or dementia will cost the United States an estimated $335 billion. In Arizona, it is estimated that 262,000 family caregivers are providing $9.7 billion in uncompensated care. Arizona is home to 150,000 people 65 or older living with Alzheimer’s, though that number does not capture Arizonans living with dementia or who remain undiagnosed.
Last Congress, Sinema championed into law the bipartisan Supporting Older Americans Act, which improves Arizona seniors’ health care, increases access to caregivers, and keeps Arizona seniors safe.
