Western Mass. Citizens to Gather at State House for Alzheimer’s Awareness

BOSTON — On Tuesday, May 15, Alzheimer’s Assoc. officials, local state legislators, and citizens impacted by Alzheimer’s disease will gather at the Grand Staircase at the Massachusetts State House for a day of awareness and conversation around the disease. A bus from Ludlow will leave Tuesday morning carrying citizens ready to turn the Grand Staircase purple and raise awareness. 

According to the Alzheimer’s Assoc., more than 130,000 people are living with Alzheimer’s in the Commonwealth, with more than 337,000 family members and friends providing unpaid care and support to them on a daily basis. The event, Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day, will include a focus on pending legislation (H. 4116) that would support these individuals and their families while focusing on preparing various stakeholders on making the state more dementia-capable. H.4116 passed the House of Representatives on Jan. 31 and is expected to be in front of the Senate this summer. 

After the speaking program, attendees will meet with their local legislators to share how Alzheimer’s has impacted their lives, thank their representatives for their support of H.4116, and to urge senators to support the upcoming legislation. 

Doors open at 10 a.m., and the program runs from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Scheduled speakers include Jim Wessler, president and CEO, Alzheimer’s Assoc., Massachusetts/New Hampshire chapter; state Sen. Barbara L’Italien, Senate chair of the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs; state Rep., Danielle Gregoire, House chair of the Joint Committee on Elder Affairs; state Sen. Pat Jehlen, Joint Commitee on Elder Affairs; and Daniel Zotos, director of Public Policy & Advocacy, Alzheimer’s Assoc., Massachusetts/New Hampshire chapter.