WASHINGTON – Sen. Susan Collins announced her support Tuesday for legislation that would double Alzheimer’s disease research funds and ease medical costs for families.

“It’s an agonizing experience to look into the eyes of a loved one and to receive only a confused look in return,” the Maine Republican said at a subcommittee hearing on retirement and aging. “A strong and sustained research effort is our best tool to slow the progression … of this heart-breaking disease.”

As of this year, 5 million Americans reportedly have Alzheimer’s, more than double the number diagnosed in 1980, according to data released Tuesday by the Alzheimer’s Association.

“Maine has the fourth-oldest population in this country, and thus [Alzheimer’s research] is a particular challenge for our state,” Collins said in an interview.

In Maine, about 30,000 people have the disease, 25,000 of whom are over the age of 65, said Liz Weaver, program director of the state Alzheimer’s Association.

“Age is the biggest risk factor; however, we are seeing younger people with the disease as well,” Weaver said.

Alzheimer’s accounts for 50 percent to 70 percent of all diagnosed forms of dementia, Weaver said, adding that in most cases there is at least one person providing care for the affected person.

“About 70 percent of the people with Alzheimer’s are still in the community and 70 percent of their care is provided by families,” she said.

The proposed Alzheimer’s legislation would provide families a tax credit of up to $3,000 a year to meet the costs of medical care, in addition to increased research funds.

“The legislation would help provide research, which we hope will lead to a delay in the onset” of the disease, Collins said. “This would save a considerable amount of money, not to mention suffering.”

Samuel Gandy, chairman of the Alzheimer’s Association Medical and Scientific Advisory Council, said at the hearing that increased funding is needed to keep research initiatives strong.

Gandy said a lack of funding leads many young researchers to look for jobs in other medical fields. “We are losing a generation of scientists,” he said.

There are several Alzheimer’s support groups throughout Maine for family members of those affected by the disease.

“The most difficult aspect,” Weaver said, “is that there are waiting lists to help [families] pay if they are not able to pay privately. And in some parts of the state there are not enough people to provide in-home care.”

The proposed legislation would increase disease research funding to $1.3 billion, Collins said.

“We’re not close to a cure right now, but the only way we’re going to get there is through biomedical research,” Collins said.