UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Hails House Passage of Paid Family and Medical Leave

Calls on Senate to quickly approve paid family and medical leave for family caregivers

Washington, D.C. (November 19, 2021) – UsAgainstAlzheimer’s today applauded the passage by the U.S. House of Representatives of federal legislation that includes paid family and medical leave for people living with Alzheimer’s and other serious medical conditions and their caregivers.

“This is an historic step forward to support millions of family caregivers who for too long have struggled to balance care for a family member living with dementia and their job,” said George Vradenburg, chair and co-founder of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s.“The House took this important step, now it’s time for the Senate to act. Passing paid leave for caregivers will help working families, grow the economy and help address our nation’s dementia care crisis.”

The U.S. has about 53 million family caregivers – 16 million providing dementia care - who too often are caught in an unsustainable conflict between caregiving and work responsibilities.

Paid family and medical leave for family caregivers has clear economic and societal benefits:

  • Annually, the economy loses more than $20 billion when Americans are forced to choose between their economic wellbeing and caring for a loved one.
  • Nearly two in ten employed family caregivers have quit their job and nearly half (44%) have had to go part-time because of caregiving responsibilities.
  • The dementia caregiving crisis is especially severe for women and communities of color who are more likely to have caregiving responsibilities and who are at higher risk of dementia themselves. This potential disparate impact has been made clear by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has forced 16% of Latino and 13% of Black adults to leave the workforce to care for an adult family member. 

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About UsAgainstAlzheimer’s

UsAgainstAlzheimer’s exists to conquer Alzheimer’s disease. We take on the toughest problems; bring all of “Us” together to break down barriers; advocate for research that will speed treatments to market; and drive changes that matter most to people living with the disease. We will not rest until brain-span equals lifespan - for everyone.