Senator Amy Klobuchar Visits The Pillars of Prospect Park

The Pillars of Prospect Park Senior Living (the Pillars) and Pillars Child Care hosted Senator Amy Klobuchar on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, for an impactful discussion about the reauthorization of the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act.

The visit was featured by several news outlets:

MPR News: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2024/11/28/dementia-research-and-support-to-continue-in-minnesota-after-congress-passes-legislation

FOX 9: https://www.fox9.com/news/klobuchar-alzheimers-support-legislation

Pioneer Press: https://www.twincities.com/2024/11/30/dementia-research-and-support-to-continue-in-minnesota-after-congress-passes-legislation/

The event drew an audience of over 100 Pillars residents, staff, and advocates to hear more about the renewal and its potential to enhance the lives of individuals living with Alzheimer’s and other related dementias (AD/ADRD).

Senator Klobuchar was joined by other esteemed guest speakers: Dr. Joseph Gaugler, a professor at the University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health, Robert Freeman, Vice President of Public Policy for the Minnesota-North Dakota Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association® and Brett Anderson, CEO and President of Ebenezer. Together, they offered a comprehensive overview of how the reauthorization will support public health strategies, care partners and those living with (AD/ADRD). 

Building Our Largest Dementia Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act (BOLD Act):

This legislation, enacted in December 2018, aims to strengthen the public health infrastructure to address Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias through public health initiatives. Its goal is to reduce the impact of these diseases by promoting public awareness, early detection, and quality care while providing tools and resources to care partners. The Act focuses on the following key goals:

Early Detection and Diagnosis - Promoting awareness and screening programs to catch signs of dementia earlier, enabling timely interventions.

Community-Based Care Partner Support - Providing essential resources for family caregivers, including educational programs and respite services.

Public Health Planning and Data Collection - Funding state and local public health departments to create Alzheimer’s-specific plans and collect critical data to inform policy decisions.

Health Equity - Ensuring underserved and rural populations have access to dementia care and education. With its reauthorization, the Act secures ongoing federal funding to expand these initiatives, building stronger local and national systems to address the growing challenges posed by Alzheimer’s as the U.S. population ages.

Supporting Communities at Every Level:

At the Pillars, many residents and families are directly affected by (AD/ADRD). This event was a poignant reminder of the collective effort required to support those living with AD/ADRD and their care partners. The reauthorization of the BOLD Act empowers communities like ours and others by fostering stronger partnerships between local agencies, healthcare providers, and advocates.

Senator Klobuchar’s long-standing commitment to Alzheimer’s advocacy was evident during the discussion. She expressed pride in the bipartisan support for the Act and reiterated her dedication to ensuring that individuals living with dementia and their families receive the care and support they need.

A Shared Commitment:

As the event concluded, attendees shared their gratitude for Senator Klobuchar, Dr. Gaugler, and Robert Freeman, whose leadership and expertise illuminated the path forward in this field. The reauthorization of the BOLD Act is not just a legislative milestone—it demonstrates the support at a federal and local level for Americans living with (AD/ADRD). The Pillars is proud to have facilitated this vital conversation! The event reaffirmed our commitment in supporting residents and families impacted by (AD/ADRD).