Alzheimer's Association, Greater New Jersey Chapter

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

2011-02-28T11:29:00.000-05:00

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!

2011-01-27T10:33:00.023-05:00

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!

2010-12-07T09:59:00.001-05:00

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.

2010-08-27T14:40:00.002-04:00

State Updates

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

Memory Walk and Advocacy

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.

2010-07-16T09:37:00.000-04:00

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

2010-06-02T15:23:00.001-04:00

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.

2010-05-04T16:28:00.001-04:00

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.

2010-03-19T08:37:00.001-04:00

Welcome readers!

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).

UPDATE: Alzheimer’s Association Action Summit

This year’s Action Summit was held from March 7-9 in Washington, D.C., where thousands of advocates came together to help make a difference in achieving our vision of a world without Alzheimer's. Alzheimer advocates nationwide gathered in Washington, D.C., to participate in the Advocacy Forum themed, “My Experience, Our Voice,” the signature opportunity for attendees to ensure that their elected officials understand the unrelenting reality and impact of Alzheimer’s disease. As the growing Alzheimer’s population continues to strain an already fragile healthcare system, our job is to help our legislators understand the need for enhanced care and services, and federal research funding to prevent, treat and cure Alzheimer's disease.

On Capitol Hill, advocates from New Jersey urged their representatives to support the following key federal priorities:

1. Increase funding for Alzheimer’s disease research

New Jersey representatives were asked to cosponsor the Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act (S.1492/H.R.3286). This legislation will increase the federal government’s commitment to fighting Alzheimer’s disease through research, education, and care. If this legislation is enacted it will:

• Authorize $2 billion for Alzheimer’s disease research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

• Establish a comprehensive research effort on Alzheimer’s disease at NIH and make Alzheimer’s research a priority at the National Institute on Aging.

• Direct the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to undertake a comprehensive effort to increase awareness of, and education about, Alzheimer’s disease.

• Authorize a toll-free Alzheimer’s Call Center to provide advice, care consultation, information, and referrals on Alzheimer’s disease.

• Reauthorize and expand the Alzheimer Care State Matching Grant Program.

2. Improve detection, diagnosis, and care planning

New Jersey representative were urged to cosponsor the Alzheimer’s Detection, Diagnosis, Care and Planning Act, which will increase detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and provide access, information and support for newly diagnosed individuals and their families. If this legislation is enacted it will:

• Ensure that Medicare beneficiaries have access to a bundled package of services that will include initial detection, diagnostic evaluation, care planning, and medical record documentation

• Increase detection and diagnosis of dementia in primary care necessary for the provision of critical information and referrals to support services.

• Assist newly diagnosed individuals, and their family caregivers, with understanding the diagnosis, planning for predictable problems, avoiding crises and maintaining the best possible quality of life.

3. Develop a coordinated federal strategic plan to address Alzheimer’s disease

New Jersey representatives were urged by advocates to cosponsor the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (S.3036/H.R.4689). This bill 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. If this legislation is enacted, it 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 that ethnic and racial populations at higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease receive much needed care and services.

If you want your voice heard in Congress, click below to write to your New Jersey representatives and ask them to pass these important policies today.

Click here to write to congress.

2010 Facts & Figures Update

During the Action Summit, the new 2010 Facts & Figures Report was released to the public. The report includes a special section on race, ethnicity and Alzheimer’s disease. The report states that African-Americans and Hispanics are at higher risk for developing Alzheimer's. African-Americans are about two times more likely than Caucasians to have Alzheimer's disease, and Hispanics are about 1.5 times more likely than Caucasians to develop the disease.

Key facts about Alzheimer's disease:

5.3 million people have Alzheimer's

172 billion dollars in annual costs

7th leading cause of death

10.9 million unpaid caregivers

For the full report, click here.

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

The 2010 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 16, at The Palace at Somerset Park, 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 over 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.

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.

2010-02-11T15:12:00.003-05:00

Welcome readers!

As we move further into 2010, we have a lot to do, and the Alzheimer's Association is in full speed mode in the public policy & advocacy arena; we will continue to raise awareness on behalf of those who struggle with Alzheimer’s disease and their family caregivers.

Alzheimer’s Action Summit: Advocacy Forum

This year’s public policy forum will be held from March 7-9 in Washington, D.C. The advocacy forum is where thousands of advocates come together and help make a difference to achieve our vision of a world without Alzheimer's. Alzheimer advocates nationwide will converge on Washington, D.C. to participate in the Advocacy Forum themed, “My Experience, My Voice.” The Forum is the signature opportunity for attendees to ensure elected officials understand the unrelenting reality and impact of Alzheimer’s directly from their constituents. As the Alzheimer disease population continues to grow, our job is to help our legislators understand the need for enhanced care and services, and federal research funding to prevent, treat and cure Alzheimer's disease.

Today there are as many as 5.3 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s, and that number is expected to soar to as many as 16 million by 2050. An exploding epidemic, Alzheimer’s has the power to undermine all of our best efforts to control health care costs because of its very real potential to bankrupt Medicare and Medicaid and the retirement security of generations to come.

For more information about this year’s Advocacy Forum please call Leena Shah at 609.275.1180 or e-mail her at leena.shah@alznj.org.

State Updates

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

Please contact your legislator and ask him/her to add their support to this bill. Click here to find your legislator and take action! . Tell 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).

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 the New Jersey Legislature and the Governor on how the state can better serve individuals with Alzheimer's disease and their families.

Federal Updates

Health Care Reform Update

We are pleased that many Alzheimer's-specific provisions were included in the health care reform legislation. We will continue to weigh-in to ensure that Alzheimer related provisions are included. For more information, contact Leena Shah.

Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act

This legislation authorizes a significant increase in funding for Alzheimer research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to $2 billion to restore momentum to the pursuit of better diagnosis, prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

Because we still have a long way to go in the process of the Breakthrough Act becoming law, we need to keep up the momentum on this bipartisan legislation. Check out the list of current cosponsors here. If your members of Congress are not listed, ask them to sign on today!

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

2009-12-15T09:00:00.002-05:00

Happy Holidays to You All!

Welcome readers!
On behalf of the Alzheimer's Association, Greater New Jersey Chapter, I would like to wish you all a Happy Holiday Season and Happy New Year! Here are few things I would like to share with you:

Memory Walk and Advocacy
What a great season we had! We had four amazing walks this year and were successful in recruiting 120 new advocates! As the year ends and we look ahead to 2010, let us remember the words of Mahatma Gandhi: “We must be the change we wish to see in the world.” For the New Year and beyond, let us stand united in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. As an advocate, it is important to keep the movers and shakers of public policy interested. Advocacy is a grassroots effort. This form of advocacy is one of the most effective ways of bringing about change. The more advocates we have, the louder our voice. Effective advocacy lies in team effort. Ask a friend, colleague and/or neighbor to become an advocate this New Year, and have them call us at 609.275.1180, for information on becoming an advocate. Let’s continue the momentum of Memory Walk and advocacy into the New Year and beyond!

Federal Updates

Health Care Reform Update
On November 7 the House of Representatives passed the "Affordable Health Care for America Act," H.R.3962, by a vote of 220-215.

We are pleased that many Alzheimer's-specific provisions were included in the House version of health care reform legislation. As the Senate works on its version of the health reform bill, we will continue to weigh-in to ensure that Alzheimer related provisions are included.

Learn more about Alzheimer's-related provisions here.

Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act
This legislation authorizes a significant increase in funding for Alzheimer research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to $2 billion to restore momentum to the pursuit of better diagnosis, prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

When the Alzheimer's Breakthrough Act was introduced in 2007, Alzheimer advocates helped secure 92 cosponsors over 19 months. Because the bill was never brought to a vote, the Breakthrough Act (S.1492/H.R.3286) was reintroduced this year in July. In just five busy months, thanks again to the remarkable efforts of advocates, we have secured 111 cosponsors to support this bill!

Because we still have a long way to go in the process of the Breakthrough Act becoming law, we need to keep up the momentum on this bipartisan legislation. Check out the list of current cosponsors here. If your members of Congress are not listed, ask them to sign on today!

State Updates

NJ Alzheimer’s Disease Study Commission – Advocacy Action Needed!
Please contact your legislator, and ask him/her to add their support to this bill. Click here to find your legislator and take action! . Tell 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 reintroducing this legislation in the new session. The bill numbers for the 2008-2009 sessions were: (S2872/A4008).

The NJ Alzheimer’s Disease Study Commission will: give an overview 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 the New Jersey Legislature and the Governor on how the state can better serve individuals with Alzheimer's disease and their families.
Stay tuned in 2010 for a new blog entry and to learn more about what is going in state and federal policy. For more information about public policy and advocacy, please visit http://www.alznj.org/. Thank you for visiting our blog; we welcome your comments here.

November 2 was Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Day in New Jersey and November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month!

2009-11-05T11:33:00.001-05:00

Welcome readers!
I want to first share with you an exciting Memory Walk update. It has been a busy season, and the Walks were great. At our advocacy table this year, we were flooded with interested individuals who wanted to become advocates. We were successful in recruiting 120 new advocates!! Our voices are getting louder!

The end of our Memory Walk season took us into the beginning of Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and Day. We have planned a number of activities in effort to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease within our state.

State House Display

For the first time, we had an informational display table set up at the State House in Trenton, in Goldfinch Square, from Friday, October 30 through Friday, November 6, to help raise even greater awareness within the New Jersey legislative community.

Candlelight Vigils

In an effort to unite New Jerseyans affected by Alzheimer’s disease and raise awareness of the disease in New Jersey, the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater New Jersey Chapter hosted One Night, One Light™ candlelight vigils on Monday, November 2, which was Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Day in New Jersey, at the following locations: Crestwood Manor in Whiting; Kaplen JCC on the Palisades in Tenafly; and Raritan Health in Raritan.

Special Advocacy Awareness Program

On Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Day in New Jersey, we hosted a special Advocacy Awareness program at the Morris County Library in Whippany. The special guest speaker was Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ).

Union County Caregiver Conference

The Association will host a program about the importance of advocacy and public policy during a portion of the Union County Caregiver Conference, Union County College, Cranford, on Saturday, November 7, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Call to Action E-Blast

An e-blast to all Alzheimer's Association advocates was sent on Friday, October 30, and asked them to call, e-mail and/or send a letter to their State Senator and Assemblyman/Assemblywoman to let them know that November 2 is Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Day in New Jersey and that they must take a stand against this debilitating disease.

Billboard and Posters for Awareness

And finally, beginning the week of November 2 and running throughout the month, billboards with the Association’s distinctive purple and white messaging will go up in four central locations in Trenton, and posters with similar messaging will be displayed in legislative offices throughout the Chapter’s 14-county service area.

We hope that these activities in November will allow advocates to join together and make our VOICE heard! Public policy and advocacy plays a crucial role in helping to ease the burden of Alzheimer’s disease. Let’s stand united in our fight against Alzheimer’s!

For more information about public policy and advocacy, please visit http://www.alznj.org/. Thank you for visiting our blog; we welcome your comments here.

Welcome to the Alzheimer's Association, Greater New Jersey Advocacy Blog!

2009-10-14T14:02:00.000-04:00

Welcome readers! As a part of our ongoing advocacy efforts, our chapter is starting this blog in order to engage with our advocates and also to keep them informed on the latest advocacy and public policy work in New Jersey. We will post on a monthly basis.

We want to talk about Alzheimer’s disease and the impact this disease has in our country and our state. Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder named for German physician Alois Alzheimer, who first described it in 1906. Scientists have learned a great deal about Alzheimer’s disease in the century since Dr. Alzheimer first drew attention to it. We now know that Alzheimer’s is a progressive and fatal brain disease; it is the most common form of dementia; and it has no cure.

Currently more than 5.3 million Americans struggle with Alzheimer’s disease and that number continues to grow because every 70 seconds someone develops Alzheimer’s disease. In addition to the emotional and physical stress that Alzheimer’s disease causes, it is a financial nightmare for caregivers and for our country’s healthcare system. Alzheimer's and dementia triple healthcare costs for Americans age 65 and older. The direct and indirect costs of Alzheimer's and other dementias to Medicare, Medicaid and businesses amount to more than $148 billion each year.

We hope that this blog is a vehicle that will allow advocates to join together and make our VOICE heard! Public policy and advocacy plays a crucial role in helping to ease the burden of Alzheimer’s disease. There are a number of polices that the Greater New Jersey Chapter advocates for on the federal and state level that will help individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers. Here are just a few things we are working on:

Federal

The Alzheimer’s Breakthrough Act of 2009 (S. 1492 & H.R. 3286): This legislation calls for a significant increase of funding for Alzheimer's at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to $2 billion. This legislation authorizes the necessary resources to restore momentum in the pursuit of better diagnosis, prevention and treatment. Advances and progress in the various areas of Alzheimer research have the potential to save millions of lives and save billions of dollars to the nation's public health programs.

The National Alzheimer’s Project Act (S.1555): This legislation calls for the fundamental need for a coordinated federal approach to confront one of America’s most feared and costly diseases.

State

Alzheimer’s Disease Study Commission (S2872/A4008): This legislation will create an Alzheimer’s Disease Study Commission in the state of NJ. The Commission will: give an overview 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 the New Jersey Legislature and the Governor on how the state can better serve individuals with Alzheimer's disease and their families.

Importance of Advocacy During Memory Walk

To explain why advocacy is important during Memory Walk, I’d like to first answer this question:

What does advocacy mean?

Advocacy means giving aid or support to a cause. To be an advocate means to aid or support on behalf of someone. At the Alzheimer's Association’s, an advocate lives up to the full meaning of the definition. Individuals with Alzheimer’s cannot always speak up for themselves and fight for their rights. It is a job of the advocate to fight for them. It is the job of an advocate to hear their concerns and make the changes. An advocate can be anybody, a caregiver, a professional, a friend, family member, or just someone who wants to help. To be a successful advocate the most important thing is to listen.

An advocate can do many things. Here are some examples:

• Participate in events and help to raise awareness.

• Write, call or even visit your legislator. Tell him or her your personal story and what you feel needs to be changed/improved in our laws.

• Send your story or opinion on an issue to your local newspaper.

Memory Walk is our largest grassroots community event. At these walks all advocates have the opportunity to voice their support of the Association's policy goals to Congress. Memory Walk allows for the chance to target a large group of individuals who are there for the same cause and can give support to the millions who struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. So, put on your walking shoes and join us at this year’s Memory Walk and sign up to become an advocate and encourage other to sign up as well! Help give voice the 5.3 million Americans who are struggling with Alzheimer’s disease.

Next month’s post will cover: Memory Walk update; importance of advocacy during Memory Walk; Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month/Day activities; public policy Updates

For more information about public policy and advocacy, please visit http://www.alznj.org/. Thank you for visiting our blog; we welcome your comments here.