Alzheimer’s Disease claims another victim
Arlington police have confirmed that the body found on January 5, 2013 was that of Maria Arrocha, an Alzheimer’s patient who was reported missing in December. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner ruled that Maria Arrocha died from exposure to the elements. Arrocha was found near the 1500 block of E. Abram Street near Stadium Drive in east Arlington. Officers were searching for Maria Arrocha who has been missing since Dec. 18, said Arlington police Sgt. Christopher Cook.
More than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s or similar dementias, and that number is expected to rise rapidly as the baby boomers age. The Texas adult population with disabilities has grown to 1,683,350, which is a 300,000 jump in the last 10 years. As more and more of our citizens, reach retirement age there are going to be more dementia related problems.
Therefore, both the Texas House and Senate 2013 budget plans include $5.2 million for the Darrell K Royal Alzheimer’s initiative in 2014. The private fund, announced last year to spur Alzheimer’s research, was named for the iconic University of Texas football coach who died in November after living with dementia for several years.
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