Advocacy

You can become an advocate for yourself and others in many ways: advocate for research, address the needs of a specific population affected by Alzheimer’s and/or Parkinson disease, empower those dealing with a recent diagnosis, help legislate change, donate to causes that matter to you and STAY INFORMED. However you tackle it, be the change!

Current Legislation

Alzheimer’s Impact Movement

In a 2014 online article for The Hill, Former U.S. Surgeon General and former CDC Director Dr. David Satcher writes: “Alzheimer’s is the most under-recognized threat to public health in the 21^st century.” The goal of The Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM) is to develop and advance policies that would increase investment in research, care and support for Alzheimer’s disease.

Visit their website to learn more about how you can take action:
https://alzimpact.org/take_action/act_now

RAISE Family Caregivers Act

Responding to the rising number of caregivers in the United States, Congress passed The Recognize, Assist, Include, Support and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act in January, 2018. Under this legislature, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will develop strategies to support caregivers and improve coordination across government programs that support caregivers and care recipients. Click the first link to read the law and the second for a breakdown of all it covers.

Read the law:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/3759/text

Understand the detailed breakdown:
https://www.aarp.org/politics-society/advocacy/caregiving-advocacy/info-2015/raise-family-caregivers-act.html

2020 Alzheimer’s Research Budget for the USA

Bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress and presidential leadership resulted in a $350 million increase for Alzheimer’s and dementia research funding at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Signed into law by President Trump, the new 2020 Alzheimer's research budget for the United States now stands at roughly triple the amount at which it began when President Trump stepped into office.

http://www.alzheimersweekly.com/2019/12/record-breaking-alzheimers-bipartisan.html

2019 Parkinson’s Policy Forum

Become an Alzheimer’s Advocate

From act.alz.org: “Ambassadors are grassroots volunteers who serve as the main point of in-district contact for a targeted member of Congress to help the Alzheimer’s Association achieve its federal policy priorities. They develop and cultivate trusted relationships with their assigned congressional office through ongoing, personal contacts, drawing upon proven techniques and the support of Association National and Chapter staff.”

Learn more:
https://act.alz.org/site/SPageServer/?pagename=advocacy_action&scid=1759

Become an Alzheimer’s Advocate in North Carolina:
http://act.alz.org/site/Survey?ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS&SURVEY_ID=6025

Already an advocate?
Contact us to let us know your experience.

Join the Parkinson’s Advocates in Research program (PAIR)

From Parkinson.org: “We can make research more efficient and effective by ensuring that people with Parkinson's and care partners are primary partners in research alongside scientists, industry and government… Parkinson's Advocates in Research (PAIR), makes this partnership a reality by bringing together the people who live with Parkinson's and the people developing new treatments.”

Become a Research Advocate:
https://www.parkinson.org/research/Patient-Engagement/Advocate-for-Research

Already an advocate?
Contact us to let us know your experience.

Contact Your Representatives