You can help by contacting your local Senator and asking that he look at the facts and make the determination to support the Greater Michigan Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.According to data release this year, in Michigan there are 180,000 people with dementia. If even 1% of them per year, 1,800 people, are able to live an extra 3 months at home due to our services, it will save the State of Michigan $8,497,764 in nursing home Medicaid payments alone. The state could reinstate our past support of $600,000 yearly and still save $7,897,764 per year.
Pegg Thomas, Alpena Office Coordinator, had an opportunity to speak with new State Senator John Moolenaar on January 31st while he was in Alpena. Senator Moolenaar represents the counties of Alcona, Alpena, Crawford, Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda and Otsego within our Northern Region. He is the Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee.
“The Alzheimer’s Association is pleased that a much needed plan will now be put into place to address the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease, currently the sixth-leading cause of death in this country. In fact, among the 10 leading causes of death, it is by far the fastest growing — increasing more than 50 percent from 2000 to 2007,” said Harry Johns, Alzheimer’s Association president and CEO. “Given the devastation experienced by millions of families because of this disease and the staggering economic costs, particularly to Medicare and Medicaid, we must have an effective strategy now. The fact that Alzheimer’s is the only one of the top 10 causes of death without a way to prevent, cure or even slow it underscores the critical need for the swift, aggressive implementation of this legislation."
On December 15, 2010, the National Alzheimer’s Project Act was passed unanimously by the House of Representatives. It is now on the way to the White House for the President’s signature. This is a major victory for the Alzheimer’s Association and, once enacted, NAPA will create a national strategic plan to address and overcome the rapidly escalating crisis of Alzheimer’s. 
The Senate unanimously voted in favor of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA), which now goes to the House. Urgent action is needed to ensure that NAPA passes this year! Make your voice heard by sending a message to your Representative. 
We are blessed with over 700 churches in the Northern Michigan Region. This area of our state was originally settled by many ethnic groups who brought their religious traditions with them. And today, their descendants carry on their faith and continue to meet from shore to shore.
"A Woman‘s Nation Takes on Alzheimer's" sounds the alarm for Americans—women, men, government leaders, corporations, nonprofits, churches and the press—to understand that almost a third of Americans have a family member with Alzheimer's and that women are effectively a gender under siege by this disease. Other reports on Alzheimer's exist. But this one—backed by an extensive, scientific poll, buttressed by in-depth chapters by experts and salted with dozens of poignant, revealing essays and original photography commissioned exclusively for this report—is the first to underscore the impact of the disease on women and how that impact is compounded by the increased risk women have of developing the disease. Learn more here.
The Michigan Senate is positioned to cut nearly $400,000 for Alzheimer’s programs from the State budget. This will severely impact the programs and services we now offer here in northern Michigan.
Senator Tony Stamas, District 36, and Representative Andy Newmann, District 106, are part of the decision making process in
Please call them today with this short message: “Do not cut programs for individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease and their families. Keep the Healthy
Those living in Otsego, Montmorency, Alpena, Crawford, Oscoda, Alcona, Ogemaw, Iosco, Gladwin and Midland counties, please contact Senator Stamas at 866.305.2136; fax at 517.373.2678 or write him at:
State Senator
The Honorable Tony Stamas
To contact State Representative Andy Neumann those living in Presque Isle, Montmorency, Alpena, Crawford, Oscoda and Alcona counties, please contact Representative Andy Neumann at 877.737.4106; fax at 517.373.8446 or write him at:
State Representative
The Honorable Andy Neumann
