The Alzheimer's Association, MA/NH Chapter is the largest group in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire advocating on behalf of those living with Alzheimer's and dementia and their families. Thanks to the tireless work of our advocates, we’ve passed critical legislation in Congress as well as in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and significantly increased federal research funding.
But our work isn’t done. We need dedicated, passionate advocates like you to build on this success in Congress and in our state capitals. Whatever your availability or your experience, you can make a difference by sharing your story and joining our volunteer team of advocates.
Become a Volunteer Advocate
Conquering Alzheimer’s is as much a matter of public policy as scientific discovery, and we need your help to change the future of this devastating disease. As a volunteer advocate, you’ll make your voice heard, drive policymakers to address Alzheimer’s and other dementia, and improve the lives of everyone affected by Alzheimer’s.
Whether you take one of these actions, or all of them, YOU WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
- Take action through an action alert! It only takes a minute, and you can start today! Text AIMWALK to 52886 to quickly send messages to your legislators as needed to advance bipartisan policy priorities that will have a meaningful impact on people living with Alzheimer's and other dementia and their caregivers.
- Share an action alert on social media
- Share your experiences with Alzheimer’s at a meeting with your State or Federal legislators
- Participate in the Massachusetts or New Hampshire State Advocacy Day and ask your legislators to help us end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia
Join our Advocacy Team here!
Current State & Federal Legislative Priorities
Our MA/NH advocates are active in appealing to their Members of Congress in their home districts and in Washington, DC, as well as advocating at our state capitals to our state legislators.
How You Can Help
Massachusetts Advocacy Updates
Massachusetts advocates were able to return to in-person meetings and events at the Massachusetts State House in 2023 to share their personal experiences with legislators. Advocates testified before Joint Committees at hearings on our four legislative priorities, which can be found here. You can also watch our March 2023 virtual legislative briefing on these priorities here.
In 2023, we sought an ambitious goal with our advocates to increase funding on our two priority items in the Massachusetts FY’24 budget. We were able to work with our legislative champions to increase and secure funding for the following Alzheimer’s Association priorities:
- $300,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association’s Dementia Care Coordination (DCC) program, an increase from prior funding of $100,000 in FY’23; DCC is an evidence-based program that provides vital support to family caregivers who are caring for a loved one living with Alzheimer's disease or another dementia through collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Association and healthcare partners.
- $250,000 for an Alzheimer’s Public Awareness & Education Campaign, which has been funded for several years at $150,000.
We were also proud to return to the Massachusetts State House with our advocates on June 8, 2023 for our first in-person Advocacy Day since 2019. Seventy advocates attended the event and attended 60 meetings with legislative offices. In addition, many legislators spoke during our legislative briefing and attended the day. Join us next time by becoming an advocate today!
New Hampshire Advocacy Updates
During the 2023 legislative session, the Association advocated for and was ultimately successful in securing $500,000 in the state budget for a statewide Public Awareness Campaign on Brain Health, Alzheimer's Disease, and Related Dementias. This will be the first such public awareness campaign of its kind ever run in New Hampshire, which is the second oldest state in the country. The campaign will raise critical awareness in the Granite State by:
- Educating the health care community and the general public on the importance of early detection and timely diagnosis of cognitive impairment, clinically accepted and recognized cognitive assessment tools, and the value of a Medicare Annual Wellness visit for cognitive health;
- Increasing public understanding and awareness of early warning signs of Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia, the value of early detection and diagnosis, and how to reduce the risk of cognitive decline, particularly among persons in diverse communities who are at greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia; and
- Informing the health care community and the general public of resources and services available to individuals living with dementia and their families and caregivers.
The educational and awareness materials created over the course of the campaign will be incorporated into the Department’s existing, relevant public health outreach programs on an ongoing basis.
We also held the largest ever New Hampshire Advocacy Day on April 12, 2023. We were joined at the State Capitol by 25 advocates and Association staff, all of whom attended in-person meetings with bipartisan members of House and Senate leadership, as well as a meeting with Governor Sununu in the Executive Council Chambers. Join us next time by becoming an advocate today!
Contact Us:
Please
fill out this form or contact the MA/NH Public Policy & Advocacy Team directly at
advocacymanh@alz.org with any questions.