2010 Events

(There are no events planned for the immediate future at this time. Please check back for updates.)

Past Events 

Alzheimer's Action Day 2010: On February 11^th, 2010, the Alzheimer’s Association sponsored an Alzheimer’s Action Day to protest the Governor and Legislature’s assault on seniors and abandonment of families living with Alzheimer’s disease.  Seventy-five Alzheimer’s advocates stormed the state capitol to voice their opposition to further cuts to Adult-Day Health Care (ADHC) and In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) programs. Advocates came from as far north as Chico, as far south as Irvine, and everywhere in between. We were joined by professional and family caregivers, Adult Day Health Care workers, California Alzheimer’s Disease Center staff, and nursing students, as well as advocates from the AARP and CARA (California Alliance of Retired Americans). Advocates broke into small teams and, armed with key talking points, conducted drop-in visits. Through these efforts, we reached every legislator’s office as well as the Governor’s staff to discuss the importance of these vital programs. Following the visits, advocates attended the Assembly Budget Subcommittee hearing on the proposed elimination of ADHC funding, where multiple participants testified on the negative fiscal and social impacts the cuts would have.

Washington D.C. Forum 2010 (March 7 - 9): The 2010 Washington D.C. Policy Summit was a great success. New attendance records were set, and over 800 advocates stormed Capitol Hill to meet with their members of Congress. California chapters sent more than 60 advocates to the Summit, who visited every California Congressional office. 

The national office also released the 2010 Alzheimer’s disease Facts and Figures report. California-specific data included:

• A projected 50 percent increase in the number of Californians aged 65 and older with Alzheimer’s by 2025
• An estimated 1.4 billion hours of unpaid care for Californians living with Alzheimer’s and dementia in 2009, totaling approximately $16.1 billion in unpaid care
• Of the over 258,000 Californians living with a cognitive impairment in nursing homes, 39 percent had moderate or severe levels of cognitive impairments

The report also included a special report entitled “Race, Ethnicity and Alzheimer’s Disease”, which outlined data on the disease amongst African-American and Hispanic communities.

You can download and view the 2010 report for yourself.

Sacramento Advocacy 2010 (April 21): On Wednesday, April 21^st over 130 Alzheimer’s advocates converged on the State Capitol for Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day.  Caregivers, family members, Alzheimer’s Disease Center staff, adult day care providers, and people living with Alzheimer’s came together to say “Don’t abandon families living with Alzheimer’s – no more cuts to Alzheimer’s programs and services!” 

The day started early with a discussion of the budget and policy issues advocates would be discussing with Legislators.  Special speakers joined the discussion aimed to prepare volunteers to discuss our three ‘asks’:

1. No further cuts to funding for the ten Alzheimer’s Disease Centers
2. Support AB 2555 (Feuer and Nielson) , which would provide a year of funding ($1.6 million) to continue the local Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, and      to consider being a co-author
3. Promote the online family caregiver survey to inform development of the Alzheimer’s Disease State plan on their website and/or in their newsletter

 (To see the talking point documents, click here)

Armed with knowledge on these issues and leave-behind materials for legislators, advocates visited every Legislative office and the Governor’s office. They met with legislators, staff, and the Governor’s senior policy advisor. 

Thanks to everyone who came and made their voices heard on behalf of the 588,000 families living with Alzheimer’s.  We look forward to seeing you again at future events! 

                     2008 Sacramento Advocacy Day & Rally

1,400 attended the Rally April 16, 2008 on the steps of the Capitol.

Senator Alquist and Advocates