Alzheimer’s Bill Signed into Law!

I am one of the nearly 1 million Illinois residents who are directly affected by Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. I have worked with geriatric patients for the past decade, first as a certified nursing assistant and then as a physical therapist assistant. During my career I served as the Director of Rehabilitation for a memory care facility. It was during this time that I learned the most about how dementia is affecting my local community. I immediately felt a need to learn more about how I could improve awareness and bring families resources. My story is not unlike others, as there are countless families who face the emotional, physical and financial burden of this disease.

While the road to find a prevention or cure may seem long, I’m excited to share that our state government is taking a positive step forward in our fight to End Alzheimer’s. Thanks to the support of our own Governor JB Pritzker, State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant and State Representative Natalie Manley, Alzheimer’s Association-driven legislation, Senate Bill 1726, has been signed into law! This new law will establish a Dementia Coordinator at the Department of Public Health, a full-time position dedicated to effectively coordinating services around increasing quality of life for individuals, families and caregivers affected by Alzheimer’s.

To prepare our healthcare system for this fast-growing and costly disease, I’m proud to know this coordinator will be a much-needed advocate in our state government. Please join me in celebrating this huge victory and thanking our leaders, Senator Bertino-Tarrant and Representative Manley, for making this happen!