ALFA Launches Petition To Fight Alzheimer’s Disease

ALEXANDRIA, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) has launched the Stop Alzheimer’s Petition, which urges the President of the United States and members of Congress to make preventing and effectively treating Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia a priority on Capitol Hill. Senior living professionals, senior living residents, and other concerned citizens can sign the petition on Facebook and through the ALFA website.

“Millions of individuals, including 42 percent of assisted living residents according to the National Survey of Residential Care Facilities, are affected by the devastating nature of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias”

ALFA has joined with 45 other organizations to ask the public to support the Stop Alzheimer’s Petition. Each organization belongs to Leaders Engaged on Alzheimer’s Disease (LEAD), a coalition committed to national policies targeted at preventing, treating, and eventually curing Alzheimer’s disease. The coalition aims to recruit one million individuals to sign the petition by the end of the year.

The petition asks the President and Congress to fully fund and support the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease, which was developed earlier this year as part of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act. Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in America. No effective prevention, disease modifying treatment, or cure is currently available.

“Millions of individuals, including 42 percent of assisted living residents according to the National Survey of Residential Care Facilities, are affected by the devastating nature of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias,” said ALFA President & CEO Richard P. Grimes. “Improving quality of life for these individuals and their families has long been a priority of ALFA and should be a priority of our elected officials. Through the Stop Alzheimer’s Petition, those touched by this debilitating disease can make their voices heard and help ensure a brighter future for those with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia.”

ALFA is also asking petition signers to share other ways that they are urging Washington to prioritize ending Alzheimer’s disease. One creative entry will be chosen to receive a $100 donation to the charity of his or her choice. To sign the petition through Facebook, visit alfa.org/stopalzheimers. Individuals without Facebook can sign the petition through ALFA’s website at alfa.org/stopalzpetition.

About The Assisted Living Federation of America

The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) is the largest national association exclusively dedicated to professionally-managed, resident-centered senior living communities and the seniors and families they serve. Since 1990, ALFA has advocated for choice, accessibility, independence, dignity, and quality of life for all seniors. ALFA’s programs promote business and operational excellence through education, research, publications, professional networking and online tools designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurism in the field of senior living. Visit ALFA’s Web site at www.alfa.org.