NJ Alzheimer’s Disease Study Commission – Action Needed NOW!

Welcome Readers!

In the beginning of the New Year, President Obama signed the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) into law. NAPA creates for the first time a coordinated national strategy to confront one of America’s most feared and costly diseases, a disease that will plague even more baby boomers as they age. New Jersey must act now to get aligned with our new federal policy!

The New Jersey Alzheimer’s Disease Study Commission will provide an overview and framework of the impact of Alzheimer's disease in New Jersey; analyze all areas affected by Alzheimer's issues; identify existing services and service gaps; and propose legislation to help our legislators understand how the state can provide enhanced service to  people living with Alzheimer’s disease and their families.

Right now, this legislation has been approved and passed through the State Senate. The next steps are to have this bill heard in the Assembly Health & Senior Services committee and voted on by full Assembly.

Please contact your legislator and ask him/her to add their support to this bill. Click here to find your legislator and take action! Inform public officials that Alzheimer’s disease affects loved ones, friends and neighbors. It places an enormous burden on family caregivers who must endure prolonged physical, emotional, and financial stress. Urge them to review this bill and commit to supporting this legislation. The bill numbers for this legislation are: (S125/A322).

Become an Advocate!

An advocate is someone who takes a political action in support of our cause. Anyone can become an advocate. You don’t have to be an expert in government affairs, just have the desire to share your story and have your voice heard by your elected officials. If you would like to become an advocate, please email advocacy@alznj.org.

Upcoming Events

Alzheimer's Association, Greater New Jersey Chapter: Annual Education and Research Conference

The 2011 Education and Research Conference: New Directions in Research and Care is one of the largest professional conferences in the tri-state area with a dedicated focus on the care and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. It is scheduled for Friday, April 8 at The Palace at Somerset Park in Somerset.

The conference is designed to provide healthcare professionals with the latest information on dementia research and care, the opportunity to earn continuing education credits and network with more than 700 professionals who regularly attend this full-day of specialized presentations and workshops. The workshops are focused on dementia care practices that build capacity and enhance the care that healthcare professionals provide.

If you would like more information about attending, exhibiting or becoming a volunteer, please call 609.275.1180 or email volunteers@alznj.org.

Under the Boardwalk...Music. Memories. Magic. - A benefit for Alzheimer's - April 15, 2011

Join us on Friday, April 15, 2011 for an unforgettable evening of music, memories and magic at the historic Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel in Asbury Park. Under the Boardwalk will raise funds and awareness for the fight against Alzheimer’s disease, and also celebrate the Jersey Shore and the history of Asbury Park.

The evening will feature dancing to the music of The Infernos Band, Jersey Shore-themed entertainment and memorabilia, and a silent auction. For information about sponsorship and advertising opportunities or reservations, please call 732.832.7818 or email development@alznj.org.

Alzheimer’s Association Advocacy Forum

The Alzheimer’s Association Advocacy Forum will be held on May 15-17 at the Omi Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC. The forum is a chance for advocates to become educated about the issues, learn new skills, network with fellow advocates and take our message directly to members of Congress to fight for our legislative agenda.

For more information, please email advocacy@alznj.org.

NJ Alzheimer’s Disease Study Commission – Action Needed NOW!

Welcome Readers!


State Updates

New Jersey is taking the lead in developing comprehensive plans for the present and future crisis of Alzheimer's disease. The NJ Alzheimer’s Disease Study Commission will provide an overview and framework of the impact of Alzheimer's disease in New Jersey; analyze all areas affected by Alzheimer's issues; identify existing services and service gaps; and propose legislation to help our legislators understand how the state can provide enhanced service to people with Alzheimer’s disease and their families.

Right now, this legislation has been approved and passed through the State Senate. The next steps are to have this bill heard in the Assembly Health & Senior Services committee and voted on by full Assembly.

Please contact your legislator and ask him/her to add their support to this bill. Click here to find your legislator and take action! Inform public officials that Alzheimer’s disease affects loved ones, friends and neighbors. It places an enormous burden on family caregivers who must endure prolonged physical, emotional, and financial stress. Urge them to review this bill and commit to supporting this legislation. The bill numbers for this legislation are: (S125/A322).

Become an Advocate!

An advocate is someone who takes a political action in support of our cause. Anyone can become an advocate. You don’t have to be an expert in government affairs, just have the desire to share your story and have your voice heard by your elected officials. If you would like to become an advocate please email advocacy@alznj.org.

Upcoming Events

Alzheimer's Association, Greater New Jersey Chapter: Annual Education and Research Conference

The 2011 Education and Research Conference: New Directions in Research and Care is one of the largest professional conferences in the tri-state area with a dedicated focus on the care and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. It is scheduled for Friday, April 8 at The Palace at Somerset Park in Somerset.

The conference is designed to provide healthcare professionals with the latest information on dementia research and care, the opportunity to earn continuing education credits and network with more than 700 professionals who regularly attend this full-day of specialized presentations and workshops. The workshops are focused on dementia care practices that build capacity and enhance the care that healthcare professionals provide.

If you would like more information about attending the conference, exhibiting at the conference or becoming a volunteer, please call 609.275.1180.

Under the Boardwalk...Music. Memories. Magic. - A benefit for Alzheimer's - April 15, 2011

Join the Alzheimer's Association, Greater New Jersey Chapter on Friday, April 15, 2011 for an unforgettable evening of music, memories and magic at the historic Berkeley Oceanfront Hotel in Asbury Park. The gala event, titled “Under the Boardwalk,” will raise funds and awareness for the fight against Alzheimer’s disease, and also celebrate the Jersey Shore and the history of Asbury Park.

The evening will feature dancing to the music of The Infernos Band, Jersey Shore-themed entertainment and memorabilia, and a silent auction. For information about sponsorship and advertising opportunities or reservations, please call 732.832.7818 or email development@alznj.org.

For additional information about the Alzheimer's Association, Greater New Jersey Chapter, visit http://www.alz.org/nj.

Federal Updates

President Obama signs into law the National Alzheimer’s Project Act

In the beginning of the New Year, President Obama signed the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) into law. NAPA creates for the first time a coordinated national strategy to confront one of America’s most feared and costly diseases, a disease that will only plague more baby boomers as they age. NAPA will provide an essential framework within the government that recognizes the Alzheimer’s crisis is no longer emerging but is here. It would also establish an inter-agency council to work with the Secretary of Health and Human Services to give a full assessment of what needs to be done to address the threat of Alzheimer’s on multiple fronts including care, research and support. NAPA ensures strategic planning and coordination of the fight against Alzheimer’s across the federal government as a whole.

The signing of this important legislation by President Obama is the start of addressing the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease. There are 5.3 million people – 5.1 million aged 65 and older – that have Alzheimer’s disease, and another American develops Alzheimer’s every 70 seconds. In New Jersey, there are 350,000 individuals with Alzheimer’s and famiy members who are caring for them. We thank the President for his leadership on this important piece of legislation.

Save the Date

The Alzheimer’s Association Advocacy Forum held each year in Washington D.C., will take place on May 15-17 at the Omi Shoreham Hotel.

The Forum is a chance for advocates to become educated about the issues, learn new skills, network with fellow advocates and take our message directly to members of Congress to fight for our legislative agenda.

For more information, please email advocacy@alznj.org.

Welcome readers!

State Updates

NJ Alzheimer’s Disease Study Commission – Action Needed NOW!

New Jersey must take the lead in developing comprehensive plans for the present and future crisis of Alzheimer's disease.  The NJ Alzheimer’s Disease Study Commission will: provide an overview and framework of the impact of Alzheimer's disease in New Jersey; analyze all areas affected by Alzheimer's issues; identify existing services and service gaps; and propose legislation to help our legislators understand how the state can provide enhanced service to Alzheimer’s disease individuals and their families.

Please contact your legislator and ask him/her to add their support to this bill. Click here to find your legislator and take action!  Inform public officials that Alzheimer’s disease affects loved ones, friends and neighbors.  It places an enormous burden on family caregivers who must endure prolonged physical, emotional, and financial stress. Urge them to review this bill and commit to supporting this legislation. The bill numbers for this legislation are: (S125/A322).

Memory Walk and Advocacy

Memory Walk is the Alzheimer’s Association’s signature event and an ideal time to become an advocate and join in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.  Leadership in this fight is needed now more than ever, and our elected officials, at the state and federal levels, must commit to fight Alzheimer’s disease today. 

An advocate is someone who takes a political action in support of our cause. Anyone can become an advocate. You don’t have to be an expert in government affairs, just have the desire to share your story and have your voice heard by your elected officials.  This year individuals who signed up as advocates asked their member(s) of Congress to commit to the Association’s top priorities- investing $2 billion in research, providing access to care and support services, and creating a national plan to solve the Alzheimer’s crisis. The Association will engage advocates year round in a variety of activities to progress the legislative agenda of the Association.  Those who signed up will receive monthly federal updates, special legislative alerts, as well as advocacy communications from their local chapters. Be a part of Memory Walk today and sign up to become in an advocate!

This Memory Walk season, we successfully recruited 226 new advocates! We still need your voice, please become an advocate today!

Federal Updates

National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) - Action Needed!!

Contact your member(s) of Congress and urge them to sign on to NAPA!

Ask your representative to cosponsor the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (S.3036 / H.R. 4689) that will establish a National Alzheimer’s Project Office and inter-agency Advisory Council responsible for creating a national plan to overcome the Alzheimer’s disease crisis.  In 2050, up to 16 million Americans will have Alzheimer’s disease, creating an enormous strain on the health care system, families, and the federal budget.   

Yet there is no plan on how to deal with this looming crisis.  If enacted, the National Alzheimer’s Project Act will:

• Launch a campaign within the federal government to overcome Alzheimer’s disease.

• Establish an inter-agency Advisory Council to create a coordinated National Alzheimer’s Disease Plan.

• Comprehensively address the federal government’s efforts on Alzheimer’s research, care, institutional services, and home- and community-based programs.

• Accelerate the development of treatments that would prevent, halt or reverse the course of Alzheimer’s disease.

• Decrease health disparities by ensuring ethnic and racial populations at higher risk for Alzheimer’s receive much-needed care and services.

Find out if your member of Congress is a co-sponsor of NAPA. If not, ask your member of Congress to act now and support NAPA (S. 3036 / H.R. 4689).

Alzheimer’s Breakthrough Ride & World Alzheimer’s Day

On Sept. 21, World Alzheimer's Day, the riders of the Alzheimer’s Breakthrough ride collected more than 110,000 signatures for a petition asking Congress to make Alzheimer’s disease a national priority. On World Alzheimer’s Day, the participants cycled to Capitol Hill and presented the signatures for delivery to Congress. The presentation marked the culmination of a cross-country journey that began in San Francisco and involved more than 55 Alzheimer researchers cycling over 4,500 miles to raise awareness and support for the cause.

Simultaneously released on World Alzheimer’s Day, Alzheimer’s Disease International released a new report highlighting the soaring cost of dementia and the need for action by policy makers and governments across the globe.  World Alzheimer Report 2010: The Global Economic Impact of Dementia findings include:

• Dementia is significantly affecting every health and social care system in the world.
• Dementia care costs around 1 percent of the world’s gross domestic product (GDP).
• If dementia care were a country, it would be the world’s 18th largest economy (ranking between Turkey and Indonesia).
• By 2030, worldwide societal costs will increase by 85 percent (a very conservative estimate considering only increases in the number of people with dementia).

The Shriver Report™: A Woman’s Nation Takes on Alzheimer’s

First Lady of California Maria Shriver and the Alzheimer's Association released in October: The Shriver Report: A Woman's Nation Takes on Alzheimer's, the largest study ever conducted to look at the effect of Alzheimer's disease on American women as caregivers, people with the disease and advocates.  The report states that women are the epicenter of the Alzheimer’s epidemic.  There are nearly 10 million American women who either have Alzheimer’s disease or are caring for someone with the disease. Two-thirds of the people who have Alzheimer’s — 3.3 million — are women. Sixty percent of Alzheimer caregivers — 6.7 million — are women. There are nearly a third of women caregivers that rate the physical stress level of caregiving a 5 out of 5. The greatest fears women voice about getting Alzheimer's disease is that they will forget their loved ones, become a burden to their families and not be able to care for themselves. 

The purpose of this report is to launch a national conversation about the far-reaching consequences of Alzheimer's disease in the United States today and in the future. As an advocate I urge you to share this report with your friends, family and neighbors. I urge you to contact your state and federal representatives and ask him/her to recognize Alzheimer’s as a public health crisis and take action now. Click here to find your state and federal representative.

For more information, please visit us at www.alz.org/nj.

Save the Date

The 2011 Alzheimer's Association Advocacy Forum will be held May 15-17, 2011, in Washington, D.C.  The Alzheimer's Association Alzheimer's Action Summit/Forum offers the opportunity to learn about Alzheimer's disease, create dialogue about this important issue and train to deliver key policy messages to lawmakers.

Please stay tuned for more information about this in early 2011. If you have any questions about the Forum, please contact advocacy@alznj.org.

State Updates


NJ Alzheimer’s Disease Study Commission – Action Needed NOW!

New Jersey must take the lead in developing comprehensive plans for the present and future crisis of Alzheimer's disease. The NJ Alzheimer’s Disease Study Commission will: provide an overview and framework of the impact of Alzheimer's disease in New Jersey; analyze all areas affected by Alzheimer's issues; identify existing services and service gaps; and propose legislation to help our legislators understand how the state can provide enhanced service to Alzheimer’s disease individuals and their families.

Please contact your legislator and ask him/her to add their support to this bill. Click here to find your legislator and take action! Inform public officials that Alzheimer’s disease affects loved ones, friends and neighbors. It places an enormous burden on family caregivers who must endure prolonged physical, emotional, and financial stress. Urge them to review this bill and commit to supporting this legislation. The bill numbers for this legislation are: (S125/A322).

Memory Walk and Advocacy

Memory Walk is the Alzheimer’s Association’s signature event and an ideal time to become an advocate and join in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. Leadership in this fight is needed now more than ever, and our elected officials, at the state and federal levels, must commit to fight Alzheimer’s disease today.

An advocate is someone who takes a political action in support of our cause. Anyone can become an advocate. You don’t have to be an expert in government affairs, just have the desire to share your story and have your voice heard by your elected officials. This year individuals who sign up as advocates will ask their member(s) of Congress to commit to the Association’s top priorities- investing $2 billion in research, providing access to care and support services, and creating a national plan to solve the Alzheimer’s crisis. The Association will engage advocates year round in a variety of activities to progress the legislative agenda of the Association. Those who sign up will receive monthly federal updates, special legislative alerts, as well as advocacy communications from their local chapters. Be a part of Memory Walk today and sign up to become in an advocate!

Memory Walk has four locations!

Southern Regional Memory Walk - Saturday, September 25, 2010
Little Silver Park, Point Pleasant Beach

Central Regional Memory Walk - Sunday, October 10, 2010
Educational Testing Services, Princeton, NJ

Northern Regional Memory Walk - Sunday, October 24, 2010
Van Saun Park, Paramus, NJ

Liberty State Park Regional Memory Walk - Saturday, October 30, 2010
Liberty State Park, Jersey City, NJ

Click here to start your own Memory Walk team and sign up to become an advocate in the process!

Reminder: November 1 is Alzheimer’s disease Awareness Day in New Jersey. For more information, please visit our website at www.alz.org/nj. You can also call 609.275.1180, or email at advocacy@alznj.org.

Federal Updates

National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) - Action Needed!!

Contact your member(s) of Congress and urge them to sign on to NAPA!

Ask your representative to cosponsor the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (S.3036 / H.R. 4689) that will establish a National Alzheimer’s Project Office and inter-agency Advisory Council responsible for creating a national plan to overcome the Alzheimer’s disease crisis. In 2050, up to 16 million Americans will have Alzheimer’s disease, creating an enormous strain on the health care system, families, and the federal budget. Yet there is no plan on how to deal with this looming crisis. If enacted, the National Alzheimer’s Project Act will:
• Launch a campaign within the federal government to overcome Alzheimer’s disease.
• Establish an inter-agency Advisory Council to create a coordinated National Alzheimer’s Disease Plan.
• Comprehensively address the federal government’s efforts on Alzheimer’s research, care, institutional services, and home- and community-based programs.
• Accelerate the development of treatments that would prevent, halt or reverse the course of Alzheimer’s disease.
• Decrease health disparities by ensuring ethnic and racial populations at higher risk for Alzheimer’s receive much-needed care and services.

Find out if your member of Congress is a co-sponsor of NAPA. If not, ask your member of Congress to act now and support NAPA (S. 3036 / H.R. 4689).

Alzheimer’s Breakthrough Ride

Sign the petition today and tell Congress to make Alzheimer’s a priority!

Starting in California and culminating in Washington, D.C., the Alzheimer's Breakthrough Ride is an active way researchers are supporting the fight against Alzheimer's disease. From July 15–Sept. 21, researchers will cycle across the country, relay-style, to collect over 50,000 signatures in support of the Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act. On Sept. 21, World Alzheimer's Day, all riders will gather in the nation's capital to deliver more than 50,000 signatures supporting the Breakthrough Act to Congress. Click here to sign the petition!

Remember to pass the petition along to your friends, family & coworkers!

Health Care Reform and Alzheimer’s Disease

For regular updates on how the new health care reform legislation affects individuals with Alzheimer’s and their family caregivers, you can now visit http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_healthcare_reform.asp.

For more information on public policy and advocacy, please visit our Web page, www.alz.org/nj. Thank you for visiting our blog; we welcome your comments here.

Stay tuned for more updates on our next post in September!

Welcome readers!


State Updates

NJ Alzheimer’s Disease Study Commission – Take Action NOW!

New Jersey must take the lead in developing comprehensive plans for the present and future crisis of Alzheimer's disease. A new report (see Federal Update, below, for report information) released on May 19, by the Alzheimer's Association finds that without the discovery of a new breakthrough treatment, by 2050, 13.5 million Americans will have Alzheimer's disease costing Medicaid $178 billion (in today's dollars). Collectively over the next 40 years, caring for people with Alzheimer's will cost Medicaid over $3.5 trillion. New Jersey policymakers must be a part of the solution and take action now. Your role as an advocate is critical to help urge the policymakers to move this legislation forward.

The NJ Alzheimer’s Disease Study Commission will: provide an overview and framework of the impact of Alzheimer's disease in New Jersey; analyze all areas affected by Alzheimer's issues; identify existing services and service gaps; and propose legislation to help our legislators understand how the state can provide enhanced service to Alzheimer’s disease individuals and their families.

Please contact your legislator and ask him/her to add their support to this bill. Click here to find your legislator and take action! Inform public officials that Alzheimer’s disease affects loved ones, friends and neighbors. It places an enormous burden on family caregivers who must endure prolonged physical, emotional, and financial stress. Urge them to review this bill and commit to supporting this legislation. The bill numbers for this legislation are: (S125/A322).

Federal Updates

Changing the Trajectory of Alzheimer's Disease: New Public Policy Research from the Alzheimer’s Association

A new Alzheimer’s Association study shows that new therapies for Alzheimer’s disease could save billions for American families and the economy. The new study, “Changing the Trajectory of Alzheimer’s Disease: A National Imperative,” adds projected financial implications to the significant human need arguments for the federal government to address the Alzheimer’s crisis.

The study shows that disease-modifying treatments (in addition to improving lives) could dramatically slow the rapidly increasing cost of Alzheimer’s disease to Medicare, Medicaid, and other payers. These future cost savings make an even stronger argument for policymakers to invest in more research now.

If current trends continue, Alzheimer’s disease will cost the United States $20 trillion over the next 40 years. It will cost $172 billion to care for people with Alzheimer’s in 2010 alone—and that number may increase to $1.08 trillion in 2050.

To read the full report, go to www.alz.org/Trajectory.

Support the National Alzheimer's Project Act (NAPA)

By 2050 nearly 16 million Americans will have Alzheimer’s, yet there is no national plan to deal with this looming crisis. The National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) would establish an inter-agency advisory council to address the government’s efforts on Alzheimer research, care, institutional services, and home- and community-based programs.

Find out if your member of Congress is a co-sponsor of NAPA. If not, ask your member of Congress to act now and support NAPA (S. 3036 / H.R. 4689).

For more information on public policy and advocacy, please visit our Web site, www.alz.org/nj. Thank you for visiting our blog; we welcome your comments here.

Welcome readers!


National Volunteer Appreciation Week April 19 – 23, 2010

For National Volunteer Appreciation Week this year, the Alzheimer's Association showed volunteers appreciation with a special certificate and name recognition on our Web site. Whether our volunteers have helped one day or many days throughout the year, the time dedicated to the Alzheimer’s Association is genuinely appreciated and is the core of our Mission.

State Updates

NJ Alzheimer’s Disease Study Commission – A Call to Action!

The NJ Alzheimer’s Disease Study Commission will: provide an overview and framework of the impact of Alzheimer's disease in New Jersey; analyze all areas affected by Alzheimer's issues; identify existing services and service gaps; and propose legislation to help our legislators understand how the state can provide enhanced service to Alzheimer’s disease individuals and their families.

Please contact your legislator and ask him/her to add their support to this bill. Click here to find your legislator and take action! Inform public officials that Alzheimer’s disease affects loved ones, friends and neighbors. It places an enormous burden on family caregivers who must endure prolonged physical, emotional, and financial stress. Urge them to review this bill and commit to supporting this legislation. The bill numbers for this legislation are: (S125/A322).


Federal Updates

Update on the National Alzheimer's Project Act (NAPA)

Thanks to the efforts of Alzheimer's Association advocates, the National Alzheimer's Project Act (S. 3036/H.R. 4689) continues to gain momentum in Congress.

A great deal of this growth stems directly from the highly successful Alzheimer's Action Summit Congressional meetings in March, the thousands of emails from advocates who couldn't attend and Summit participants' follow-up efforts. Keep up with the latest information about NAPA, including updated cosponsor lists, by visiting www.alz.org/NAPA.


The Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act continues to gain support as well—now having the support of 44 Senators and 104 Representatives. Great work!

Take Action!
Keep the momentum going! We still need much more support from legislators of both parties. Please take five minutes and ask your members of Congress to cosponsor the National Alzheimer's Project Act. This link will help you send an email to your Representative and Senators and includes a draft to help you get started: www.alz.kintera.org/napaact .

For more information on public policy and advocacy, please visit our Web page, www.alz.org/nj. Thank you for visiting our blog; we welcome your comments here.