Letter to the editor: Progress on Alzheimer's

The first-ever county level estimates of the prevalence of people with Alzheimer’s dementia were recently published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association. As for Western Pennsylvania’s 14th Congressional District, 21,200, or 10.75% of those over the age of 65, are living with Alzheimer’s disease, as of 2020.

Alzheimer’s is not just a disease of old age. Approximately 5% of the more than 6 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s today have younger-onset. Sara, the co-author of this letter, is living with younger-onset Alzheimer’s and is just 59 years old. She was diagnosed in 2018 and originally given five to eight years of cognition. She just finished her fourth medical trial.

We would like to thank Congressman Guy Reschenthaler, who is leading the way toward finding a solution for Alzheimer’s in Congress. He is co-sponsoring two bills and has shown great support on raising awareness.

You can find the Alzheimer’s Association 2023 facts and figures at alz.org/facts. If you are a caregiver and need help, call the 24-hour Helpline at 800-272-3900.

Sara and Don Belt

Greensburg

Don Belt is Sara Belt’s husband and caregiver.