The normally drab halls of the California State Capitol were sparkling with color on March 6 as 160 Californians, clad in bright purple sashes, descended on Sacramento for Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day 2013.
As family members and individuals affected with Alzheimer’s disease, the volunteer advocates met with elected representatives and key staffers to share the impact the disease has had on them, and advocate for policies to help the many Californians confronted with the disease.
Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day, an annual event in California, is an opportunity to connect with legislators on a personal level, and to educate them about the realities of Alzheimer’s and what the legislature can do to improve life for the nearly 600,000 Californians who have the disease. Continue reading “Volunteers Push for Legislative Change at California Advocacy Day 2013” »
Dementia is not a specific disease. It’s a broad term that describes a wide range of symptoms, including memory loss or thinking problems that are severe enough to interfere with daily life. Many conditions can cause dementia symptoms, including some that are reversible, such as thyroid problems and vitamin deficiencies. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases. Alzheimer’s is progressive, which means the symptoms will worsen over time. There is no cure for Alzheimer’s and it’s the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S.
