Advocates in action 

Advocates across the U.S. are reaching out to new and returning members of the 111th Congress (their U.S. Senators and Representatives) about Alzheimer’s disease.

They are introducing (or reintroducing) the Alzheimer’s Association to new and returning members of Congress and offering services to their constituents on all matters related to Alzheimer’s disease.

Being recognized early as a valuable resource in the community by legislators will make it easier to ask for their support on future legislation that helps people with dementia and their caregivers.

Moving the mission forward

We thank Maureen Peterson, David and Jenny Dearman and the hundreds of advocates and local staff making in-district visits to members of Congress! Keep your visit reports coming.

Maureen’s husband has young-onset Alzheimer’s disease. The Petersons are members of the Bismarck early-stage support group. David is a member of the Oklahoma and Arkansas Chapter Board of Directors and Arkansas Public Policy Committee. He lost his mother to Alzheimer’s and shared his personal story with Congressman Ross.

North Dakotans Maureen Peterson, volunteer; Brooke Kirkeide, Association intern; Gretchen Dobervich, Eastern ND Director; and Krista Headland, Western ND Director visited with Senator Byron Dorgan (ND) the day before Thanksgiving.

Dr. David Dearman (on right) and his wife, Jenny, visited with Congressman Mike Ross (AR-04) on Wednesday, December 3 in his Hot Springs office.

What can I do now?

1. Help put Alzheimer’s issues on President-elect Obama’s healthcare agenda!

President-elect Obama is asking Americans to tell him why healthcare is important to them and what should be included in healthcare reform. This is a great opportunity to tell the president your personal story and about the devastation caused by Alzheimer’s disease to millions of families.

To make your voice heard, go to http://change.gov/page/s/healthcare and complete a brief form.

Your personal story will help the Association advance its healthcare priorities to the new administration. In your story, remember to mention at least one of the following points:

• Increase access to affordable health and long-term coverage for all people living with Alzheimer’s disease,
• Improve support for Alzheimer caregivers,
• Establish coordinated care for Medicare beneficiaries with dementia and other chronic conditions, and/or
• Increase federally-funded medical research.

Submit your story today!
 
2. Visit your members of Congress

Contact your local Alzheimer's Association office to see when they have scheduled visits with your members of Congress. Help advance Alzheimer policies.

Attend the 21st Annual Alzheimer's Association Public Policy Forum taking place March 23-25, 2009, in Washington, D.C. Online registration is now open!

Questions?

Email: advocate@alz.org