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Senator Amy Klobuchar with Alzheimer’s Association Minnesota-North Dakota Chapter CEO Susan Parriott. Photo courtesy of Alzheimer’s Association
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) received the 2023 Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM) Humanitarian of the Year Award for her work to address Alzheimer’s disease from the Alzheimer’s Association and AIM. The Humanitarian Award is given each year to public officials who have made significant contributions to help create a world without Alzheimer’s. Currently, over 6 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s, including almost 100,000 Minnesotans.
“As a long-time advocate for Alzheimer’s patients and their families and caregivers, I am honored to receive the 2023 Humanitarian of the Year Award. Alzheimer’s is personal to me, like it is for so many families. My dad was diagnosed with late-onset Alzheimer’s and we lost him in 2021, but he was able to be surrounded by his loved ones in the final chapter of his life in memory care,” said Klobuchar. “His zest for life and his resilience were a source of strength for me. They gave me an example of how to overcome obstacles, and also deepened my commitment to pushing for better treatments for Alzheimer’s, more support for caretakers, and of course, to finding a cure. I will continue fighting for the millions of Americans who are navigating this disease and their loved ones.”
“The Alzheimer’s Association and the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM) are proud to honor Sen. Klobuchar’s significant leadership in the fight to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia by recognizing her with the 2023 AIM Humanitarian Award,” said Robert Egge, Alzheimer’s Impact Movement Executive Director and Alzheimer’s Association Chief Public Policy Officer. “Sen. Klobuchar has been a longstanding Alzheimer’s champion, supporting and introducing critical legislation, including the bipartisan Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Act. On behalf of those impacted by dementia in Minnesota and throughout the nation, thank you for your steadfast commitment to the Alzheimer’s community.”
Klobuchar is a longtime leader on combating Alzheimer’s disease, and a member of the bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease.
Last year, Klobuchar (D-MN) and Senator Grassley’s (R-IA) bipartisan Kevin and Avonte’s Law to help locate missing loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease, autism, and other related conditions was reauthorized.
In May 2021, Klobuchar and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced the bipartisan Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Act to provide grants to expand training and support services that improve caregiver health and delay long-term care facility admissions by helping individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias continue living in their homes.
Klobuchar has worked with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to secure significant funding increases for Alzheimer’s and related dementias research. Between 2015 and 2022, Alzheimer’s disease research funding has more than quintupled, helping support efforts to find effective treatments and eventually a cure that will save countless lives.
Formed in 1980, the Alzheimer’s Association is a voluntary health organization focused on Alzheimer’s care, support and research. The Alzheimer’s Association and the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement continue to work with bipartisan congressional champions to advance public policies to improve the lives of everyone impacted by Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s is one of the top 10 leading causes of death in the U.S. The number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease is projected to grow to nearly 14 million people by 2050. In 2022, there were more than 11 million Americans providing unpaid care for people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, representing over 16 billion hours of care.
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