Arizona Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day held at state capitol

PHOENIX — Arizona has the fastest growth rate for Alzheimer’s disease in the country. It’s also the fourth leading cause of death in the state.

The Alzheimer’s Association, looking to continue prevention of the disease, on Wednesday held its third annual Arizona Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol.

“Advocates from all across the state have come to Phoenix today to meet with legislatures to talk about the impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia,” James Fitzpatrick, advocacy and public policy director for the Alzheimer’s Association in Arizona, told KTAR News 92.3 FM. “As well as the impact and burden of being a caregiver for someone with dementia.”

People were dressed as a sea of purple, the color that brings awareness to the disease. Families, friends and other leaders gathered at the Capitol in hopes of getting support for funding for what they believe will soon be called a public health crisis.

“One of the reasons we’re here today is to find support funding for a statewide survey that looks at health outcomes, disease disparities and caregiver impact,” Fitzpatrick added.

The association believes if there was more state specific data on hand about the impact of the disease, they would be able to address it better.

“If that information was on hand, we could go to state legislatures and say look, ‘We may need to increase access to respite or we may need to increase funding for respite,'” Fitzpatrick said.

AZ has the fastest growth rate for #Alzheimers in the US. Today the @alzassociation holds their 3rd annual AZ Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol. They’re hoping to receive support for funding a statewide survey of the impact of Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and caregiving. @KTAR923 pic.twitter.com/vXVk544PWm

— Ali Vetnar (@Ali_Vetnar) March 4, 2020

Respite care is planned or emergency temporary care provided to caregivers of a child or adult.

State Sen. David Gowan announced a bill he is sponsoring this session in hopes of providing state assistance for a survey the Alzheimer’s Association believes will help address the disease across Arizona.

“For the bill that we have our legislative ask in, the Senator Appropriations chair Gowan is sponsoring the bill,” Fitzpatrick added. “If you have an appropriations ask, who better than to have Senatpr Gowan, the appropriations chair sponsor it.”

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