Alzheimer’s Association: Alzheimer’s advocates assemble in Madison to meet with lawmakers

MADISON, WI, FEB. 28, 2023 – On March 7, more than 160 Advocates from across Wisconsin will travel to Madison for the Alzheimer’s Association 2023 Wisconsin Advocacy Day. Advocates will meet with their state legislators to share their stories and advance policies to improve the lives of the more than 120,000 Wisconsinites impacted by Alzheimer’s and other dementia. The Advocacy Day will be held from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on March 7.

“Wisconsin Advocacy Day is a critical opportunity to meet with policy makers to advance legislation to support families on this difficult journey,” said Allison Cramer, director of public policy, Alzheimer’s Association Wisconsin Chapter. “Our Advocates are unrelenting in their fight for a world without Alzheimer’s and we’re proud to bring a purple wave of supporters to Madison.”

Interview Opportunities:

  • Joy Schmidt, Madison. Joy is a Dementia Program Specialist for Dane County. Joy can speak to the struggle that Dane County families face who are living with Alzheimer’s or dementia. She will be meeting with Senator Kelda Roys and Representative Lisa Subeck.
  • Sue Mielcarek, Green Bay. Sue is living with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), which is an early stage of memory loss or other cognitive ability loss in individuals who maintain the ability to independently perform most activities of daily living. She and her sister are traveling to Madison to meet with their local legislators Senator Robert Cowles and Representative Joy Goeben.
  • Allison Cramer, Director of Public Policy, Alzheimer’s Association Wisconsin Chapter. Allison can speak to the legislative priorities of the Alzheimer’s Association and importance of statewide Advocacy.

Photo Opportunity: 1:00 p.m. 100+ advocates will join on the Capitol steps for a group photo. During a morning session, advocates will hear from key state policymakers and take away tools to empower advocacy efforts on behalf of all who are impacted by Alzheimer’s and dementia. In the afternoon, Advocates will meet with state lawmakers and ask them to support Alzheimer’s policies.

Alzheimer’s Statistics:

  • In Wisconsin, more than 120,000 individuals are living with Alzheimer’s and more than 198,000 serve as caregivers.
  • In Wisconsin, caregivers spend 206,000,000 total hours of time doing unpaid care at a value of $3.4 billion.
  • In 2022, Alzheimer’s and other dementias cost American taxpayers an estimated $321 billion, and the cost is projected to rise to nearly $1 trillion by 2050.

To learn more about year-round advocacy efforts in Wisconsin, visit alzimpact.org/wisconsin.

Learn more about how the Alzheimer’s Association and Alzheimer’s Impact Movement are advancing policies that improve the lives of those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia in states throughout the country.

About the Alzheimer’s Association ®

The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia ® . To learn more about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia and find local support services and resources, visit alz.org/wi.