Join the causeThe Alzheimer’s Association--Maine 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. Act NowAction Item IndexFederal Action: Write Congress Now Write your Congress in support of increased funding for research and protection of vital Alzheimer's programs. Upcoming eventsAugust 24 - 27, 2008 DEMENTIA CARE CONFERENCE Attend the Alzheimer's Association's 16th Annual Dementia Care Conference and connect with dementia care peers and experts from around the country. Register today!July 4, 2008 OPENING IN THEATRES..."Diminished Capacity" The novel "Diminished Capacity" by Sherwood Kiraly is a humorous, thoughtful and entertaining story that sheds light on Alzheimer's disease. The feature film, starring Matthew Broderick, Alan Alda and Virginia Madsen will be opening in theatres July 4th. For more information.June 2, 2008 EARLIER DIAGNOSIS GIVES ALZHEIMER'S A NEW VOICE. Individuals with Alzheimer's are raising their voices to lobby Congress for increased funding for research. Read the story in USA Today!May 16, 2008 8 - 4 pm Statewide Spring Conference, Hilton Garden Inn, Riverwatch, 14 Great Falls Plaza, Auburn. Meeting the Challenges of Dementia: I'm Still Here: Entering the world of the person with dementia. REGISTER ONLINE!May 12 - 14, 2008 Alzheimer's Association 20th Annual Public Policy Forum, Grand Hyatt Washington Hotel, Washington, DC. Program will be packed with information, education, tools and tips to use as an advocate working for change.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:
Maine advocacyThe Alzheimer’s Association Maine Chapter’s advocacy mission is to convert experiences and problems that individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias and their caregivers face into solutions by developing, monitoring and influencing both state and federal legislation and regulations. Nondiscrimination Act Signed Into Law Posted 07/08/08 The Alzheimer's Association applauds the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) of 2008 as an important first step in protecting people from the improper use of genetic information in health insurance and employment. President Bush signed the legislation into law on May 21st. The new law forbids group health plans and health insurers from denying coverage to a healthy individual or charging higher premiums based solely ona genetic predisposition for developing a disease in the future. The Alzheimer's Association supported the legislation. Read more about genetic discrimination.
Governor's Supplemental Budget Passed by Legislature: Adult day services restored! Posted 04/01/2008 During the late hours of March 31st, the Maine Legislature voted to approve Governor Baldacci's Supplemental Budget as amended by the Legislature's Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee. Thanks to the commited advocacy of Maine Alzheimer's advocates funding for the state-funded adult day programs was restored in full for FY 09. Also restored in full for FY 09 was state funding for community geriatric mental health services. The Legislature also voted to restore 50% of the funding for the home-based care program waiting list. A sincere thank you to all who made phone calls, wrote letters and sent emails. You do have a voice in the process! See a copy of the budget. Maine Chapter Meets with Governor Baldacci: Posted 02/19/2008 A delegation from the Maine Chapter met with Governor John Baldacci and DHHS Commissioner Brenda Harvey on February 14th to advocate for the restoration of funding for state-funded adult day care programs. Board member and geriatrician, Dr. Jabbar Fazeli, along with Director of Public Policy, Kathryn Pears, Joyce Hemeon and Amy Voisine from the Alzheimer Care Center in Gardiner, Kristie Miner from Westgate Manor in Bangor and family caregiver Gerry Bryan from Blue Hill had a very productive meeting with the Governor and Commissioner Harvey. Stressing the importance of supporting family caregivers, the group also conveyed the importance of not dismantling Maine's home and community-based care system at a time when Maine's population is aging. Update on Cuts to Adult Day Care: Posted 02/01/2008. Governor Baldacci has proposed elimination of state-funded adult day care as part of his budget balancing efforts. There are 46 individuals enrolled in 20 programs statewide. The implication of this cut is severe. The typical adult day care participant is a low-income frail elderly female who does not require 24 hour institutional care, largely due to the support they receive at home from devoted family caregivers. Adult day care delays or prevents placement in more costly institutional settings by providing a range of integrated services that help people remain in their communities and by supporting informal caregivers. A public hearing on cuts to home and community-based care programs, including adult day care, will be held on Thursday, February 7th at 1 pm in Room 228 at the State House in Augusta. For more information or to help us in our advocacy efforts, please contact: Kathryn.Pears@alz.org. Governor's Supplemental Budget: Impact on Persons with Dementia. As reported in the media, on December 18th Governor Baldacci proposed significant reductions in spending to a number of human service programs. Included in this "budget curtailment order" were a number of cuts to home and community-based programs that individuals with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia rely on. In the supplemental budget revealed on January 10th, curtailment reductions were extended into the state's fiscal year '09 effectively eliminating a majority of state-funded home and community-based long term care programs. Included in these cuts are: Section 61 Adult Day Services, funding for individuals on the Elder Independence of Maine Home-based Care Program waiting list, funding for Alzheimer's Best Friends™ training and Alzheimer respite coordinators, the last of the state funds for geriatric mental health and the Homemaker Program run by Catholic Charities and Community Health and Counseling Services. The Health and Human Services Committee in the Maine Legislature has been briefed on these proposed cuts but their real fate lies in the hands of the Legislature's Appropriations Committee. They will begin considering these and other cuts in late January. The Alzheimer's Association, Maine Chapter firmly opposes any cuts to safety net programs that not only assist frail elders to remain in their own homes but also save the state money by mitigating the need for higher cost facility-based care. If you or a loved one rely on any of these services and would like to assist us in our advocacy efforts, please email Kathryn.Pears@alz.org. Kathryn is Director of Public Policy for the Chapter and is very interested in speaking to anyone who might be currently using these services. If you have a story to tell about how these programs are helping you or a loved one remain at home or are willing to write a letter or make a phone call to a legislator (we'll show you how!), please contact Kathryn today.
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