Texas Voters Face Critical Decision: Fund $3 Billion for Alzheimer's Research

The Growing Alzheimer’s Crisis: Why Texas Needs Proposition 14

As Texas faces a rapidly growing population of seniors, the urgency to address Alzheimer’s disease has never been clearer. About 460,000 Texans currently live with Alzheimer’s, representing nearly 12% of adults over the age of 65. This number is projected to increase as Texas becomes home to more seniors. To combat this crisis, voters will soon have the opportunity to support Proposition 14, which seeks to allocate $3 billion towards funding the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT) aimed at enhancing research and support for Alzheimer’s at local levels.

What is DPRIT and Why Is It Important?

The DPRIT, established through bipartisan efforts, has a clear mission: to improve diagnosis and treatment infrastructure for Alzheimer’s while attracting top talent in the neurology field. Currently, many Texans struggle to receive timely and accurate diagnoses due to a lack of specialized care available in the state. By addressing these gaps, DPRIT could revolutionize how Alzheimer’s and dementia-related diseases are treated.

Joanne Pike, CEO of the Alzheimer's Association, emphasizes that “It is far too difficult for Texans to get an early or accurate diagnosis,” pointing to the existence of “neurology deserts.” The new institute aims to build upon existing frameworks already established by programs like the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, which over the years has fostered significant advancements in cancer research.

Lessons from Cancer Research: A Proven Model

Texans may remember how PROP 14, in a similar vein to previous successful funding for cancer research, could establish Texas as a national leader in Alzheimer’s research. The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute has turned Texas into the second-largest cancer research funder in the U.S. This kind of success is what advocates hope to replicate for Alzheimer’s disease.

State Senator Joan Huffman, who championed the DPRIT bill, points out that significant funding has brought incredible researchers into Texas, saving lives in cancer arenas. Advocates envision a similar commitment to dementia-related research resulting in breakthroughs that could transform the landscape of care and support for both patients and their families.

Caring for Caregivers: A Critical Component

The burden of caring for someone with Alzheimer’s often falls on family members, who contribute significantly to their loved ones’ care. One poignant example is Romi Lessig, who cares for her mother Vicki Matthews, an Alzheimer’s patient. Lessig has expressed concern for the rising number of family caregivers in Texas; around 1.1 million individuals are involved in caring for their family members suffering from Alzheimer’s.

Lessig says, “The one inescapable [thing] about Alzheimer's is time is not your friend.” This sentiment resonates with many caregivers who often face emotional and physical challenges while providing care. Prop 14 aims not only to advance research but also to create supportive measures for caregivers, including community resources, educational programs, and potential financial aid to ease their burden.

A Call to Action: Vote for Proposition 14

Voting “YES” on Proposition 14 means supporting accelerated research that could lead to effective treatments, creating a healthcare framework that promotes early diagnoses and effective care, and empowering family caregivers with the resources and support they need. Texas stands on the brink of a monumental step, and every vote can make a difference in the fight against Alzheimer’s.

So, as Texans prepare for the upcoming election, remember: your vote has the potential to transform the landscape of Alzheimer’s care in the state. Join the community in pledging support for Proposition 14, and together we can work towards a future where Alzheimer’s is no longer a looming fear for families across Texas.