RELEASE: Gottheimer Hosts Alzheimer’s Disease Roundtable with Patients, Advocates, and Medical Professionals

Resources / Press Share on RELEASE: Gottheimer Hosts Alzheimer’s Disease Roundtable with Patients, Advocates, and Medical Professionals Presses for Continued Advancement of Treatments, More Resources for Caregivers, and Federal Support to Find a Cure Aug 11, 2026 Press Above: Gottheimer hosts Alzheimer’s roundtable. WALDWICK, NJ — Today, Tuesday, August 11, 2026, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) hosted a roundtable on Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia at the Waldwick Public Library, bringing together medical experts, patients, caregivers, advocates, and local leaders to discuss the ongoing challenges facing New Jersey families affected by Alzheimer’s, the latest research and treatments, and the fight in Washington to combat the disease. The roundtable discussion focused on the everyday realities facing Jersey families affected by Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia and is a progressive disease of the brain. Today, an estimated 7.4 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s, or about one in nine seniors, and nearly two-thirds of them are women. “This isn’t an abstract issue for me. Like so many of you, I’ve had close friends and family members who’ve struggled with this disease, and once you’ve watched it up close, it changes something in you,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “ For decades, an Alzheimer’s diagnosis felt like a hopeless one. That is finally starting to change, but only if we keep the research funded, keep training our doctors, and keep fighting to make sure new breakthroughs actually reach the people who need them. I want to thank our medical experts, advocates, patients, caregivers, and local leaders who joined me this morning.” “Alzheimer’s touches every part of a family’s life, and no one should have to navigate its challenges alone. I thank Congressman Gottheimer for bringing people together for this important conversation and for his continued leadership on issues affecting family caregivers. These conversations give us an opportunity to listen to families, learn from their experiences, and work together on solutions that make a real difference. At New Jersey Human Services, we are committed to helping those living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias remain as independent and connected to their communities as possible, while helping caregivers get the support and resources they need,” said Kaylee McGuire, Human Services Deputy Commissioner for Aging and Disability Services . “It was an honor to join Congressman Gottheimer and fellow experts to discuss the current landscape of Alzheimer’s disease. Meaningful progress, from improving early diagnostics and supporting caregivers to driving medical innovation, requires steadfast collaboration between clinicians, researchers, and dedicated policymakers as we work together to finally put an end to this devastating disease,” said Dr. Manisha Parulekar, Chief, Division of Geriatrics, and Co-Director, Center for Memory Loss and Brain Health at Hackensack University Medical Center. Alzheimer’s was the sixth-leading cause of death in New Jersey in 2024, and roughly 2,320 New Jersey residents died from the disease in 2025. Statewide, 185,300 residents age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s, including about 12.3 percent—or nearly 22,800 residents—who live in Bergen, Passaic, and Sussex Counties. The burden falls heaviest on families. Across New Jersey, 283,000 residents serve as unpaid dementia caregivers, providing an estimated $13.6 billion in unpaid care. Nationwide, some 12.7 million family members and friends provide unpaid care, and the health and long-term-care costs of Alzheimer’s and other dementias are projected to reach $409 billion in 2026. Roundtable participants underscored the need to improve early detection and diagnosis, expand access to treatment and care, and protect critical federal research funding. Participants also highlighted the need for greater resources for family caregivers and better training for medical providers to recognize and care for patients with dementia. Congressman Gottheimer has been a long-time champion in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, working to advance efforts across research, early detection, prevention, provider education, and support for patients and caregivers. He is a member of the Bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease and recently helped advance the bipartisan Accelerating Access to Dementia & Alzheimer’s Provider Training (AADAPT) Act through the House, legislation that would equip primary care providers with the training and tools needed to better recognize, diagnose, and care for patients living with dementia. Gottheimer has also championed efforts to strengthen the nation’s public-health infrastructure for Alzheimer’s disease. He cosponsored and helped pass the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Reauthorization Act, which is now law and builds