While the on-going coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic still threatens the health of millions in this country and around the world, it continues to create additional challenges for people living with Alzheimer's and all dementia, their families and caregivers, including 150,000 in Georgia and their estimated 540,000 caregivers. 

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, U.S., long-term care facilities, their staff and residents are experiencing a crisis due to a lack of transparency, and an inability to access the necessary testing, accurate data and information. According to some estimates, more than 59,000 residents and workers have died from the coronavirus at nursing homes and other long-term care communities. The Alzheimer’s Association is advocating for important and accessible changes, through policy recommendations, to help families as well as professional care providers. 

That is why on Friday, August 28, the Alzheimer’s Association invites all community members to join a virtual event “ALZ Advocacy: Why it Matters and Where to Start” – a free virtual advocacy training program for anyone interested in learning more on how to become an Alzheimer’s advocate.

The Alzheimer’s advocacy training is for community members to learn more about how they can impact local, state and federal policy to improve the lives of people living with dementia and their caregivers and to impact funding for a cure. The volunteers will learn the basics of grassroots advocacy and how they can get involved in Alzheimer’s advocacy.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has only further illustrated the urgent need for legislative policy that will ensure Georgians living with dementia, especially those living in long-term care communities, are safe and receiving the quality care they need”, added Cai Yoke, Advocacy Manager, Alzheimer’s Association. “Although our lives have changed in many ways, the devastation dementia causes persists, and we need advocates all across the state to join this fight to ensure our voices are heard.   

Forty-eight percent of residents living in nursing homes and 42% of those living in senior care facilities have Alzheimer’s disease, and it has been reported that at the start of August, 40% of all U.S. COVID-19 deaths were long-term care community residents or staff. There are more than 150,000 Georgians living with dementia. Alzheimer’s is the fifth leading cause of death in Georgia and the state has seen a 246% increase in deaths since 2000.  

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, U.S., long-term care facilities, their staff and residents are experiencing a crisis due to a lack of transparency, and an inability to access the necessary testing, accurate data and information. According to some estimates, more than 59,000 residents and workers have died from the coronavirus at nursing homes and other long-term care communities. The Alzheimer’s Association is advocating for important and accessible changes, through policy recommendations, to help families as well as professional care providers. 

There is no cost to attend the training program, but registration is required at https://bit.ly/2DkVr0Q. For more information, contact Cai Yoke at 404-728-6068 or [email protected]. For more information, please visit alz.org/georgia.