Advocacy Day: Visiting Angels Joins the Conversation About Alzheimer’s Disease

Doug Hammond, President of our Frankenmuth, MI office, attended the 2019 State Advocacy Day for Alzheimer’s in Lansing, MI. Along with other advocates, Doug met with Legislative Aides and State Senators to discuss opportunities for legislation that supports Alzheimer’s disease research, resources, and access to quality care options.

The Goals of Alzheimer’s Disease Advocates

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voice for Alzheimer’s and dementia advocacy, fighting for Alzheimer’s research, care and prevention initiatives, and successfully bringing people together to address the challenges of Alzheimer’s. [Source]

The Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM) works on the state level of government to advocate for local policies that will improve the lives of those affected by Alzheimer’s disease.

As an active member in the local Michigan chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, Doug attended the 2019 Advocacy Day for Alzheimer’s to join the discussion. Pushing for local legislation and resources that supports those with Alzheimer’s can have a huge impact on our community. The main goals of Alzheimer’s advocates include:

1. Increase Public Awareness, Early Detection and Correct Diagnosis

Properly diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease can be challenging, especially in rural areas that lack proper medical resources. Early detection and correct diagnosis is critical for individuals with Alzheimer’s, as it allows for care planning.

Alzheimer’s advocates urge state officials to educate health care providers and the public about the importance of early detection, correct diagnosis and improve access to resources.

2. Support the Growth of a Dementia-Capable Workforce

The number of seniors in our country is rapidly growing. As seniors develop Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, they may require in-home care services. On a local level, our advocates push state governments to create incentives and create pathways to recruit, train, and retain quality home health care professionals.

Training across other community-based professions – such as social work and law enforcement – that teaches how to recognize and interact with seniors facing dementia can prove helpful as well.

3. Increase Access to Person-Centered Home Care

At Visiting Angels, we know that many seniors prefer to remain in their homes as they age. This is quickly becoming the preferred senior living option. For seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia, this is especially true. Home may be one of a few places seniors with Alzheimer’s recognize or feel truly safe in.

70% of adults with Alzheimer’s live in the community – not in a facility or nursing home setting. [Source] State governments can best help reduce the long-term cost of home care through supported programs.

Michigan Advocacy for Alzheimer’s Disease

The purpose of Michigan Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day is to:

1. Speak with state senators and representatives about the needs of those living with Alzheimer’s disease and their families
2. Raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease among all state agencies
3. Advocate for the goals outlined inf our Michigan Dementia State Plan

Doug represented Visiting Angels of Frankenmuth alongside Tim Welbaum and Scott Doney from the Visiting Angels Adrian office. Alongside fellow advocates, Doug met with State Senator Ken Horn.

As professional home care providers, Visiting Angels recognizes that it is important to advocate for those with Alzheimer’s disease and their families. We were honored to represent the Great Lakes Bay region of Michigan at this year’s State Advocacy Day and look forward to seeing the impact of our efforts.