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Join the cause

The Alzheimer’s Association-Greater East Ohio Chapter invites you to become an Alzheimer advocate. Join us and speak up for the needs and rights of people with Alzheimer’s disease and their families.

Add your voice to ours — become an advocate today.

Upcoming events 

Memory Day 2009 Update
Alzheimer’s Association Speaks with Ohio Legislators

Volunteer advocates with the Alzheimer’s Association – Greater East Ohio Chapter traveled to Columbus on April 7, 2009 to talk with Ohio legislators about the importance of funding for Alzheimer’s support programs. After an impassioned program and pep rally, advocates had individual meetings with senators and representatives from each of the 17 counties in our service area. Family caregivers shared stories with their legislators about the difficulties of caring for a person with memory loss and the need for continuation of supportive services.

 Over 225,000 Ohioans currently have Alzheimer’s disease. Each person with Alzheimer’s disease has an average of 3 caregivers. With an aging population, these numbers are expected to increase in the next several decades. Through Ohio’s Respite Line Item, the state designates some funds to assist families caring for a loved one with memory loss. For instance, state funding supports a 24/7 Helpline for people who have questions about Alzheimer’s disease, proper diagnosis and treatment, or for people who simply need supportive listening for their caregiving journey. The Alzheimer’s Association’s goal is to ensure that this funding is protected and maintained in Ohio’s budget, so that local families can find the help they need.

We need your caregiving stories! To learn more about becoming a volunteer advocate for the Alzheimer’s Association, contact us at 1.800.272.3900 or tina.goynes@alz.org.

The Greater East Ohio Area Chapter would like to recognize the below facilities for sponsoring the cost of our travel to Columbus. We couldn’t accomplish this without you!

• Dixon Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Wintersville, OH
• Green Meadows Health & Wellness Center, Louisville, OH
• Shepherd of the Valley, Boardman, OH
• Sunrise Assisted Living, Bath, OH

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.

Ohio advocacy

The Greater East Ohio Area chapter is one of seven Ohio chapters of the Alzheimer's Association that participates in the Ohio council for advocacy. This Council works together to speak with one voice on issues affecting families within our region dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

Ohio Plan: Our Goals (2007-09)

• Ensure that State Alzheimer Respite Funding will accommodate growing need of respite programs and services provided by the Alzheimer's Association in Ohio
• Support legislation related to creating a statewide emergency alert program for lost elders with dementia
• Ensure quality residential care for persons with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders
• Strengthen advocacy efforts through collaborations/partnerships
• Ensure that Ohio Council of the Alzheimer's Association plays a more prominent role in all future health care decisions in Ohio

To learn more about how to get involved, please contact Tina Goynes at tina.goynes@alz.org.

Federal advocacy

•  Federal update
•  National priorities