(Courtesy Photo)

Alzheimer’s Association to host Maryland State Advocacy Week Maryland residents invited to champion critical Alzheimer’s legislation 

February 24, 2021, Timonium, Maryland-The Alzheimer’s Association will host its virtual  Maryland State Advocacy Week from March 1 – 5. Participants will learn about policy priorities  and engage with their legislators on key issues, including the following three bills: 

  • HB 119/SB 313: Increasing public awareness, early detection and diagnosis of  Alzheimer’s disease (Sample-Hughes/Washington)  
  • HB 141/SB 275: Building a dementia-capable home care workforce (Sample Hughes/Hester) 
  • SB 204/HB 416: Enhancing the quality of care in residential settings (Beidle/Belcastro)  In addition to these three bills, the Association supports the following coalition priorities: 
  • Maryland Health Equity Resource Act (HB 463/SB 172). This legislation, via a one cent  per dollar increase in the alcohol tax, will provide grants, tax initiatives, and health care  provider loan repayment assistance to locations in the state with poor health outcomes  that contribute to health inequities. 
  • Essential Workers Protection Act (SB 486/HB 581). This legislation mandates worker  rights including: access to personal protective equipment, emergency action plans, and  the right to refuse dangerous work. 

“The Alzheimer’s Association has an urgency to reach and engage new people with our  information and resources so families and individuals can better understand when dementia symptoms first appear or a diagnosis is made,” says David McShea, executive director, Greater Maryland Chapter. “This week allows our advocates to connect directly with legislators, share their stories, and advocate to affect change.” 

Highlights of the week’s events include a conversation with Dr. Quincy Samus, chair of  Maryland’s Virginia I. Jones Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Council on March 1 and  a panel discussion with long-term care ombudsmen from Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia on aiding seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

“Alzheimer’s Advocacy Week presents an opportunity to learn from leading state policymakers in the morning and to directly engage elected officials in a series of evening sessions,” said Eric Colchamiro, Director of Government Affairs for the Alzheimer’s Association in Maryland.  

“Together, we can build awareness and eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through our advocacy.” 

Interested individuals may register to participate in one or more of these free virtual public  meetings: 

Monday, March 1 

  • 9 a.m. A Conversation with Dr. Quincy Samus, chair of Maryland’s Virginia I.  Jones Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Council 
  • 6 p.m. Carroll County Delegation meeting with Del. Haven Shoemaker

• 6:30 p.m. Wicomico County Delegation meeting with Del. Carl Anderton and  Sen. Addie Eckardt 

  • 7 p.m. Baltimore County Delegation Meeting with Senator Chris West 

Tuesday, March 2 

  • 9:30 a.m. Alzheimer’s Association and Montgomery County 

Lylie Fisher, Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services,  discusses the County’s far-ranging partnership with the National Capital Area Chapter. 

  • 6 p.m. Howard County Delegation Meeting with Delegate Jessica Feldmark.

• 6:30 p.m. Frederick County Delegation meeting with Delegate Karen Lewis Young. 

Wednesday, March 3 

  • 9:30 a.m. COVID-19 and Long-Term Care: A Conversation with our Region’s  Ombudsmen. 

Join Maryland’s Gail Gannon, D.C.’s Mark Miller, and Virginia’s Joani Latimer for a  conversation about their experiences aiding seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• 6 p.m. Prince George’s County Delegation Meeting with Delegate Erek Barron.

• 6:30 p.m. Charles County Delegation Meeting with Delegate Edith Patterson

Thursday, March 4 

  • 9:30 a.m. Building a Better Long-Term Care Workforce. 

Join Ron Carlson, Executive Director of the Maryland Regional Direct Services  Collaborative, to learn about the challenges and future of our workforce serving our  seniors. 

  • 6 p.m. Harford County Delegation Meeting with Del. Teresa Reilly

• 6:30 p.m. Baltimore City Delegation meeting with Dels. Regina Boyce and  Brooke Lierman 

  • 7 p.m. Anne Arundel County Delegation meeting with Del. Sandy Bartlet

Friday, March 5 

  • 10 a.m. Elected Official Town Hall 

Talk with Delegate Sheree Sample Hughes and Senator Malcolm Augustine about their  work as elected official representatives to the Virginia I. Jones Alzheimer’s Disease and  Related Disorders Council.

Participation is free. Registration for each event is required to receive the Zoom link for that  specific event. To learn more and to register, visit (insert GMD or NCA advocacy page with list  of programs and registration links). For additional information, contact Eric Colchamiroat mdadvocacyday@alz.org. 

About the Alzheimer’s Association 

The Alzheimer’s Association leads 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®. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.