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The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) recently brought it’s Educating America Tour to Portland, Maine.

The goal of the tour is to disseminate information about on-going research and trials, federal policies that impact families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and how families can prepare for long-term care.

It was the organization’s first ever visit to the state.

Tom Meuser, Ph.D., director of the Center for Excellence in Aging and Health (CEAH), was invited to attend and set up a UNE booth.

United States Senator Susan Collins was the event’s special guest speaker.

“She told her own Alzheimer's story regarding her father, which was quite powerful,” Meuser said. “She also spoke about the successes that she has had in increasing federal funding to study Alzheimer's.”

According to Meuser, Alzheimer’s costs our healthcare system more than any other single disease.

“UNE has joined a statewide effort to study cognitive aging and to put Maine on the map as a place for impactful Alzheimer's disease related research,” he said.

Meuser says UNE is joining the Jackson Laboratory, Tufts University, Northern Light Acadia Hospital and other partners in the effort.

During her speech, Collins also applauded the work being done in UNE’s CEAH.

“She said she’s heard about the great things we’re doing in our new aging center and she wants to come visit,” Meuser stated.

Meuser extended an open invitation to Senator Collins.