The annual Alzheimer's Association Public Policy Forum brings together advocates from across the country to meet with legislators who are responsible for deciding how much federal funding Alzheimer research and programs receive.

When: March 23-25, 2009
Where: Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington, D.C.
Conference Web site: Public Policy Forum
Contact: Call 202.393.7737 or e-mail forum@alz.org      

Join us in Washington, D.C. to:

• Learn firsthand about our priority advocacy issues

• Meet your members of Congress and educate them about Alzheimer's disease and its potentially devastating effect on our country's economy, business and citizens

• Be a part of a moving candlelight vigil that honors loved ones

What is an advocate?

Alzheimer advocates play an important role in improving the quality of care and quality of life for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their families by working to improve dementia care and services; improve access to community-based care; improve quality care in residential settings; and expand funding for research and public programs serving people with dementia.

As an advocate, you will:

• Receive regular updates about current legislative and public policy issues.
• Stay on top of policy and legislative issues through alerts and updates.
• Make calls or write to legislators to forward public policy priorities to improve quality of life for those living with Alzheimer’s.

California advocacy

Legislative Session Priorities

Planning for Alzheimer’s – the Public Health Crisis of the 21st Century

SB 321 (Alquist) would direct California to provide state funding for development of a comprehensive State Plan for Alzheimer’s Disease.  Such a plan would enable California to prepare now to meet the growing demand for health care and other services and to ensure programs and services are dementia capable. 

Enhancing the Alzheimer’s Day Care Resource Centers

AB 317 (Berg) would restore technical assistance and annual training for the 54 Alzheimer’s Day Care Resource Centers.  Technical assistance has not been available for 10 years and annual training for 7 seven years, consequently Centers are finding it increasingly difficult to stay current on the most effective strategies for managing those in the middle and late stages of the disease.  Furthermore, Centers are losing their capability to meet their statutory mandate to be a training center for health professionals in other settings, nursing and gerontology training programs, and family caregivers. 

For more information on these bills and the Association’s other legislative priorities, please visit www.caalz.org.

Also, see our California Legislative Update or sign up to Become an Advocate and receive your advocacy news via email.

Additional Links

• California Public Policy Platform
• Find your elected officials
• Medicare drug benefits (information and resources)

Online Resources

• State of California
• California Department of Health Care Services
• California Department of Public Health
• California Department of Aging
• California Department of Mental Health and Social Services
• California Secretary of State (Register to Vote Here!)

Federal advocacy

•  Federal update
•  National priorities