Alzheimer's Disease Study Commission
The Alzheimer's Association, Greater New Jersey Chapter is pleased by the introduction of a bill that will officially create an Alzheimer’s Disease Study Commission. 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. Please contact your legislator and ask him/her to add their support to this bill (S2872/A4008). Click here to find your legislator and take action!
Join the cause
The Alzheimer’s Association--Greater New Jersey 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.
Annual Events
Memory Walk®
Memory Walk® is the single, largest event where YOU can become an advocate and make your VOICE heard. So, put on your walking shoes, and join us at next year's Memory Walk®, and sign up to become an advocate. Give VOICE to the over 5 million Americans who are struggling with Alzheimer's disease.
One Night, One Light TM Candlelight Vigils
In April 2007, Governor Jon Corzine officially signed into law the first Monday of November as Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Day, and the month of November as Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month in New Jersey. In an effort to build greater awareness and unity, we created and launched One Night, One Light Candlelight Vigils for Alzheimer’s disease, to be held annually on New Jersey Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Day, the first Monday in November. The One Night, One Light candle lighting events are for the purpose of raising awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and helping to create a unification among New Jersey residents who have been touched by Alzheimer’s disease.
For more information about these events, please contact Leena Shah by phone at 609.275.1180, or by e-mail at leena.shah@alznj.org.
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.
New Jersey advocacy
The Alzheimer's Association has worked hard to have legislation introduced and passed that will ensure improved care for Alzheimer's individuals.
As a result of our advocacy efforts, the following pieces of legislation have been signed into law.
P.L. 2007, c. 66, sponsored by Senators Fred H. Madden Jr. and Barbara Buono, and Assemblymen Joseph Vas, Joseph J. Roberts Jr., Herb Conaway, and Assemblywoman Valerie Vainier Huttle; and co-sponsored by Senator Joseph Vitale and Assemblymen Jack Conners, Robert M. Gordon and Assemblywoman Nilsa Cruz-Perez, permanently declares the 1st Monday of November as Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Day in New Jersey. The Governor and the Legislature urge all citizens to recognize "Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month" and "Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Day," and to provide encouragement and assistance to those organizations that offer educational, advocacy and support services for Alzheimer's victims and their caregivers.
P.L.2005, c.72, sponsored by Assemblyman Joseph Cryan and Assemblyman Gordon M. Johnson; co-sponsored by Senators Fred H. Madden Jr., Stephen M. Sweeney, Barbara Buono, Diane B. Allen and Assemblymen Reed Gusciora, Upendra J. Chivukula, Frederick Scalera, Louis M. Manzo, Peter C. Eagler, Jack Conners and Assemblywoman Linda R. Greenstein, permanently requires Department of Law and Public Safety to establish policy for State Police and local law enforcement in working with Safe Return Program to recover lost individuals with Alzheimer's Disease and related disorders. Safe Return is a national identification, support and registration program working in conjunction with local law enforcement agencies to safely return individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, who become lost, to their families and caregivers; and it is in the interest of protecting the health and welfare of our State residents diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders to establish a requirement that all State Police and local law enforcement personnel receive instruction on the utilization of the Safe Return program to facilitate the safe recovery of those who wander off and become lost.
P.L. 2003, c. 268, sponsored by Senators Robert Singer and Joseph Vitale, and Assemblymen Craig Stanley, Robert Smith, and Gary Guear; and co-sponsored by Senators Shirley Turner and Diane Allen, and Assemblymen Jeff Van Drew, Sean Kean, Alfred Steele and Herb Conaway, requires any long-term care facility that provides specialized care of individuals with Alzheimer's disease, to provide potential clients with a clear and concise written list indicating the services provided in relation to the care of individuals with Alzheimer's disease.
P.L.2003, c.269, sponsored by Senators Robert Singer and Joseph Vitale, and Assemblymen Craig Stanley, John Burzichelli and Douglas Fisher; and co-sponsored by Senators Shirley Turner and Diane Allen, and Assemblymen Jeff Van Drew, Sean Kean, Alfred Steele and Gary Guear, requires a mandatory training progam be established for certified nurse aides, licensed practical nurses, registered professional nurses and other healthcare professionals who provide direct care to individuals in a long-term care facility, in the specialized care of individuals diagnosed as having Alzheimer's disease.
Your input is always important! If you would like to share your thoughts on issues you think we should address, please contact Leena Shah, by phone at 609.275.1180, or by email at leena.shah@alznj.org.
Advocate Advance
Federal advocacy
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