The following letter was sent to us to publish by Desiree Dunleavy, of Shenandoah Heights, an Alzheimer's Ambassador and Advocate, and chair of the Walk to End Alzheimer's in Schuylkill County.
Making time for HOPE and being Thankful
For individuals living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers, care planning is essential to learning about medical and non-medical treatments, clinical trials, and support services available in their community.
Accessing these services results in a higher quality of life. Endorsed by the Alzheimer’s Association and its advocacy arm, the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement, the Improving HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act will provide resources to better help their patients and families living with dementia.
Recently my fellow advocates and I met with staff from U.S. Representative Meuser’s Pottsville office to express our thanks for his support of the Younger Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Act and the Palliative Care and Hospice Education Training Act; both had recently passed in the US House of Representatives. We also discussed with his District Director - Katie Hetherington-Cunfer, the impact that caring for persons living with Alzheimer’s has on Pennsylvania and across the Nation. We asked that Representative Meuser cosponsor the Improving HOPE for Alzheimer’s Act. We are thrilled to share that Representative Meuser has signed on to that legislation as a cosponsor, AND has joined the Congressional Taskforce on Alzheimer’s Disease!
As Alzheimer’s advocates, we have both witnessed and felt the effects of living with Alzheimer’s on individuals and their families. We would like to thank Representative Meuser for supporting 400,000 Pennsylvanians living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia’s and their caregivers.
Please thank Representative Meuser for his continued support in the fight to end Alzheimer’s.
Happy Holidays!
Desiree Dunleavy, Shenandoah Heights
Alzheimer’s Ambassador, Alzheimer’s Congressional Team member & 2019 Walk to End Alzheimer’s Committee chair & Advocate