Join the cause
The Alzheimer’s Association--Oklahoma/Arkansas 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.
Upcoming events
Join us for Memory Walk.
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.
Arkansas advocacy
Arkansas Advocacy
What Can I do NOW?
Many people are apprehensive about taking Action for positive change in their government. While this is perfectly normal, influencing government policy through your actions is socially and psychologically rewarding. In order to help you become more comfortable with taking Action, we have created a starter kit for you. If you would like the advocacy starter kit, then simply email your name and mailing address and we will send one out to you.
Memory Walks offer a chance for advocates to come together and raise public awareness of Alzheimer's disease in the community. The Harrison Arkansas Memory Walk is August 2, 2008 at the Fashions Center Mall. And the Jonesboro Arkansas Memory Walk is September 6, 2008 at Craighead Forest Park, Pavilion 3 and 4. Be on the Move for a world without Alzheimer's disease by clicking on the links above and by creating a team today.
Things down the road...
Although we would like to make everyone in Arkansas instantly aware of the increasing toll that Alzheimer's disease is having on our families and economy, the fact is that meaningful and long-lasting changes take time. To help build lasting support, we urge you to forward this email to at least three friends, have them sign up to receive this update and ask them to forward the update to at least three other people, and so on. By using the 'power of three' we will quickly build the momentum needed to change the course of Alzheimer's.
Arkansas legislators are being asked to file a bill that calls for a State Plan to fight Alzheimer's disease; therefore the next few months are a crucial time for advocates to make important connections with their elected officials. We urge you to contact your state legislators, tell them your personal stories and ask them for a State Plan to fight Alzheimer's disease.
We are also working on an Action event that you can take part in for World Alzheimer's Day in mid-September. The Governor's office has been asked to proclaim World Alzheimer's Day on the Capital grounds in the hope that advocates from around the state can gather together for the event. We will keep you updated on the progress surrounding this Action in the coming months.
Oklahoma advocacy
2008 Oklahoma Legislative Priorities
We call upon members of the Oklahoma Legislature to join us in supporting:
Priority 1: Convene a task force to create the infrastructure and accountability necessary to build dementia-capable programs and services for the impending influx of consumers who have dementia and their caregivers.
Priority 2: Enact legislation using the "Silver Alert" resolution passed by the Oklahoma House of Representatives in 2006 and the Alzheimer's Association's Safe Return program to improve safety for people with dementia.
Priority 3: Provide funding for dementia training for law enforcement and other first responders.
Priority 4: Develop administrative rules that assure quality dementia training.
To learn how you can take action on these and other issues, become an advocate today.
Federal advocacy
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