Advocacy

As the leading organization for Alzheimer’s support based in New Jersey, Alzheimer’s New Jersey advocates at the local, state and federal levels for policy changes to improve quality of life for the growing number of New Jersey families impacted by Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. We are committed to improving the quality of care and support in our state while increasing awareness and access to services.

We also support legislation and initiatives to increase the federal government’s investment in Alzheimer’s disease research and to improve dementia care, early detection, care planning and education.

Become An Advocate

Our Current Initiatives Include Advocacy for:

State Initiatives

  • Ruth Gilbert Alzheimer’s Accessibility Act, (A4770, S4058)

    This bill would allow certain people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia and the caregivers transporting those individuals to more easily obtain a placard to permit parking in spaces reserved for people with disabilities. Currently Alzheimer’s disease is not specifically listed on the NJMVC application for a disability parking placard and obtaining a placard often involves obtaining a physician’s letter or certification. The ability to park in a designated disabilities parking space would ease some of the stress of transporting a person with Alzheimer’s to a medical appointment or any other destination that involves public parking.

  • Silver Alert, (A2415, S2802)

    Silver Alert is a public notification system used to broadcast information about missing persons – especially seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia – to aid in their return. The alerts use media outlets such as radio stations and television to broadcast information about missing persons. Silver Alerts also use message signs on roadways. This bill would expand the Silver Alert notification system by requiring participating media outlets to issue the same broadcast alerts used when an “Amber Alert” is initiated following a child’s abduction. This would include broadcasting a distinctive sound tone followed by the statement: “This is a Missing Person Silver Alert.”

Federal Initiatives

To achieve our goals to advance research and caregiver services on the federal level, partnering with other organizations and coalitions is imperative. Alzheimer’s New Jersey is a member of Leaders Engaged on Alzheimer’s Disease (LEAD Coalition), a diverse and growing national coalition of more than 100 member organizations committed to stopping Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. The coalition works to focus attention on accelerating progress in: (1) care and support to enrich the quality of life of those with dementia and their caregivers; (2) detection and diagnosis; and (3) research leading to prevention, effective treatment, and eventual cures.

Learn More

You Can Help

Sign up today to become a volunteer advocate. Advocates are the local community soldiers who play a key role in raising public awareness about the needs of those in our state facing the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease. As an advocate you can help by:

  • Sharing your caregiving experience with the media as needed.
  • Spreading the word through your social media about Alzheimer’s New Jersey programs and services and events
  • Contacting and talking with state and federal policy makers as needed and responding to “Call to Action Alerts.”

Become an Advocate

Use this form to signup and become and Advocate today!

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For more information on how you can get involved, please call 973.586.4300 or email advocacy@alznj.org