7 Million Americans Have Alzheimer’s

Editor,

Nearly 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, including 164,000 in Virginia. Along with Catherine Beddow, we serve the Alzheimer’s Association as volunteer advocates in the fight against this devastating disease.

My father had dementia and other medical conditions that lead to his passing in 2009. He grew up during the Depression, served in World War II and later practiced law for 50 years. Sadly, in the end, he no longer knew me or my siblings. His support, encouragement and care for me and my family was very special and endearing.

As a professional in the eldercare industry, Catherine has worked with hundreds of families in Northern Virginia who struggle to find an accurate dementia diagnosis, locate appropriate resources and obtain quality care for their loved ones. The emotional, financial and personal consequences of Alzheimer’s and other dementias is always overwhelming.

We recently participated in the 2024 AIM Advocacy Forum on Capitol Hill and joined over 1,000 Alzheimer’s Association volunteers from across the country to seek support for legislation to combat this brutal disease. We visited our Member of Congress, Rep. Don Beyer’s (VA-08) office to request his co-sponsorship of current federal legislation to address Alzheimer’s.

We requested that Rep. Beyer co-sponsor the NAPA Reauthorization Act and the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act. These legislative items work in tandem to ensure that the nation continues to prioritize the fight against Alzheimer’s and dementia. In addition, we seek Rep. Beyer’s co-sponsorship of the Accelerating Access to Dementia & Alzheimer’s Provider Training (AADAPT) Act, which empowers primary care providers to better diagnose Alzheimer’s and other dementia and deliver high-quality, person-centered care in community based settings.

Please join us and the Alzheimer’s Association in encouraging Rep. Beyer to advance policies that will continue making progress in the fight against Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. You can reach Rep. Beyer here at beyer.house.gov/contact.

To learn more about Alzheimer’s and how you can join the fight against this disease, visit alzimpact.org.

Guy Mayer & Catherine Beddow
Alzheimer’s Association Advocates to Rep. Don Beyer

Property Yard Does Not Bring Income

Editor,

Noting that the Property Yard does not bring income. Also noting that this small parcel could be joined with other parcels in development to yield a swath that could rival Tysons Corner. Thus the article is asking the city to consider this kind of astonishing property development philosophy. That seems to counter the city’s desire to ensure affordable housing. What about affordable property for the small industrial businesses that are the 100-year-old cornerstone of Falls Church City and its character. Are those businesses to be forced out to ensure that Falls Church City can rival Tysons? Do we want to be Tysons Corner? How does this mesh with wanting to provide affordable housing for those who would not be able to afford the rents and business products the development would deliver?

I am in favor of modernization. I am also in favor of keeping some of the industry and space that reminds us of our humanity and that man is the maker and that nature keeps us grounded. I would not like to see the recycling center move. I would not like to see the part time shelter move. I do not consider those and the other businesses on Gordon Road an eyesore. People use those facilities. I am not in favor of an antiseptic city.

Thank you,

Julia Peterson