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February 2013 

 

A Message from Jennifer Howard, Executive Director
Jennifer HowardHonoring African-American Research Pioneers  
February is Black History Month
The Alzheimer's Association is honoring Dr. Goldie Bryd, who has spent more than a decade researching the genetics of Alzheimer's among African-Americans. Read more...






Harold and Marion's HandsValentine's Day and Alzheimer's... 
Love endures... Till death do they part...

After 65 years of marriage, Harold Weisberg still courts his wife Marion who has forgotten him.  Read more...

Judy McQueen's husband was diagnosed 14 years ago, and she copes through supportive friends, a weekly massage and laughter.  Read more... 
 

 

Meet the Chapter Staff
Maire Ready
Maire Ready recently joined the staff as a Program Coordinator in the Chelsea office.  She will be responsible for community outreach through education and support in the south east part of the state.

She recently received her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan and is pursuing her limited license.  Maire has been passionate about and determined to work with the geriatric population since she was a teenager.  She says, “Through my internships, work experiences, and volunteer opportunities, I have found that my skills and interests are geared toward creating better systems that serve older adults and their families, especially those affected by dementia.”

You can reach Maire at mready@alz.org or 734.475.7043.

 

Education, Support and Resources
Community Education Programs:  Locate an education program in your community
If you are interested in bringing one of our programs to your community, senior center, office, church, chamber of commerce, etc., please call us at 800.272.3900, and we would be happy to schedule it.
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eLearning:  Want to watch one of our programs in the comfort of your own home? You can participate in our free online e-Learning course training anytime.

Caregiver Support Groups:  Locate a support group in your community 


Alzheimer's Navigator:  Develop a personalized action plan 

ALZConnected:  Offers resources and ways to connect with other caregivers online

 

25 Years of Making Our VOICE Heard
Advocacy Forum - Horizontal25th Alzheimer's Association Advocacy Forum
Washington, D.C. | April 22-24  |  alz.org/forum
Registration is now open!  
In honor of its 25th anniversary, registration is FREE!  

Part pep rally, part research update and part action summit, the time is upon us to start preparing for this year's Advocacy Forum. The annual event gathers hundreds of "on the move Alzheimer’s advocates" from around the country. It features a two day training conference and visits to the Hill. Last year 10 Michigan advocates were able to meet in person with 9 members of Michigan’s congressional delegation. Please contact Carrie Collins for more details or to learn about partial scholarships available - 248-996-1059 or ccollins@alz.org


Task Force on Alzheimer’s Greets New and Returning Members of Congress
Every 68 seconds someone in America develops Alzheimer’s. So, every minute that passes without action from our elected leaders increases the devastating impact this disease has on families, caregivers and our nation. The arrival of the 113th U.S. Congress earlier this month brought a number of new faces to our nation’s capital, along with many familiar ones. And for many Americans, it brought a hope that members of Congress would avoid the partisan gridlock seen in previous years. Thankfully, the issue of fighting Alzheimer’s disease spans partisan lines. The Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease is a clear example of bipartisanship and has been instrumental in raising awareness and securing funding for research. Led in the House by Co-Chairs Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Rep. Christopher H. Smith (R-NJ), Senator Susan M. Collins (R-ME) and Senator Mark R. Warner (D-VA) in the Senate, the Task Force is working to bring the mounting Alzheimer's crisis to the forefront of the congressional agenda.

Federal Legislation to be Reintroduced
In the coming months the key pieces of federal legislation that the Association has been working on will be reintroduced. This means that legislation such as the HOPE Act and the Breakthrough Act will have new bill numbers and new co-sponsors. The HOPE Act was sponsored by Michigan’s own US Senator Debbie Stabenow. The legislation needs to be reintroduced because on December 31, 2012 any federal legislation that had not made it all the way through the process was dead. Michigan is also welcoming new members of congress including Novi area U.S. Representative Kerry Bentivolio and Dan Kildee of Flint, nephew of the retired Congressman Dale Kildee.

Alzheimer’s Association Charity Tax Check-Off Legislation
Tax Check OffThis legislation has been reintroduced. Please disregard the bill numbers from last session as they are no longer valid. Representative Matt Lori reintroduced the House Bills 4081 and 4082, and these bills were taken up in committee on February 13, 2013. A special thank you to Representative Lori, the bills sponsor, and to volunteer Gretchen Smith for testifying on behalf of the Alzheimer's Association in Lansing. Thank you to the House Taxation Committee for unanimously voting in favor of both House Bills. The bills will now go the House floor for vote. The Senate Bills 150 and 151 were introduced by Senators Pappageorge and Warren.

Right now we are also working on introducing the Association to new and returning faces in Lansing. There are 28 of the 110 Representatives serving in Lansing for the first time. None of the 38 Senators were up for re-election. Extensive outreach was done in the past weeks to let the Representatives know what the Alzheimer’s Association is and what we do. We want every legislative office to be referring constituents with dementia concerns to us.   

Executives from both Michigan Alzheimer’s Association chapters traveled to Lansing this winter to meet with the Department of Community Health Director and the Director of the Office of Services to the Aging about the possibility of a line item in the 2014 state budget to support the Association’s programs and services. We were able to present to them the findings of cost savings that were demonstrated in North Dakota when that state invested in dementia services that were provided by the Alzheimer’s Association.

 

2013 Walk to End Alzheimer's
Walk LogoThe Alzheimer’s Association’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s is a united movement to reclaim the future for millions and raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.  

green register for walk logo     Registration for the 2013 Walk season is now open 
     Please visit our website at alz.org/mglc
     to register for a walk near you

Allegan County (NEW in 2013)  |  Ann Arbor  |  Brighton  |  Chelsea Area (NEW in 2013)
Jackson  |  Kalamazoo*  |  Lansing  |  Lenawee County (Adrian)
Ludington  |  Muskegon*  |  Monroe County  |  St. Joseph

*We invite Calhoun County walkers to join the Kalamazoo Walk and Fremont walkers to join the Muskegon Walk.  Our chapter elected to merge these walks this year after careful consideration of many factors, including but not limited to Walk size and distance from other Walk locations as well as recommendations of local volunteers and past years’ participants.

Help Lead Your Community in the Fight Against Alzheimer’s
Looking for Dedicated Volunteers to Join the Walk to End Alzheimer's Planning Committee
 
Would you like to make a difference in your community in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease?  Would you like to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research?  Are you passionate about helping find a cure for Alzheimer’s?  
Our chapter invites you to join the planning committee for a Walk to End Alzheimer’s.  We are looking for volunteers to help with recruiting and motivating teams, soliciting sponsors, marketing and planning the day of event.  If you have a specific talent, want to learn new skills or just want to help end this devastating disease, please contact us at mglcwalk@alz.org or 800.272.3900.

 

Upcoming Chapter Events
SAVE THE DATE!  
Alzheimer's Awareness Day  
Comerica Park
DETROIT:  Saturday, May 11 | 7:05 PM | Comerica Park
Detroit Tigers vs. Cleveland Indians

Mark your calendars now to spend the day with your family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors for a fun day at the park while spreading awareness about this devastating disease!  Online tickets go on sale soon.

2013 Ann Arbor Charity Golf Outing
ANN ARBOR:  Monday, July 8
 | Travis Pointe Country Club
  • Become a sponsor and receive recognition benefits
  • Register a team of four or as an individual golfer
  • Event highlights include:
    ~ 18 holes of golf with cart
    ~ Continental breakfast, lunch, refreshments and buffet dinner
    ~ Awards and prizes
    ~ Auction
We are very pleased that Representative David E. Rutledge is continuing to chair this annual event.  There are opportunities for sponsorship, team and individual participation.  Please look for more information to be released soon on alz.org/mglc or contact Lori Ezrow at mglcgolf@alz.org or 734.475.7043.

 

Volunteers Needed
keyboardOur chapter is still looking for individuals to assist with data entry in the Chelsea office during normal business hours between 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (flexible hours based on your availability). Basic computer skills required; experience preferred. If you are interested in learning more about becoming part of our team, please complete the Volunteer Application and fax it to the number indicated, or you may contact Erica at 734.475.7043 or erica.outhwaite@alz.org to get started.

Our program team is also looking for new Support Group Facilitators to add additional Caregiver Support Groups throughoutSG Facilitators and Volunteer Presenters our area as well as Volunteer Presenters to help educate the community about Alzheimer's.  If you are interested in learn more about these training opportunities, please contact Barb Betts at bbetts@alz.org.      

 

Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's
The Alzheimer's Association is the world's leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. 
 
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Michigan Great Lakes Chapter

310 N. Main St., Suite 100  |  Chelsea, MI  48118
Regional offices in Kalamazoo, Lansing and Muskegon
alz.org/mglc  |  800.272.3900
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