Nebraska capitol flooded with purple for Alzheimer’s State Advocacy Day

The Nebraska State Capitol will be flooded with purple today for Alzheimer’s State Advocacy day.

Advocates with the Nebraska Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association will have the chance to speak with Nebraska lawmakers about policies to help those either living with Alzheimer’s or caring for someone who is.

They’ll also be able to share their personal stories with the disease, and why advocacy is so important to Nebraskans.

Terry Streetman is the public policy manager for the Alzheimer’s Association in Nebraska.  He says advocacy events like this bring awareness to a common but overlooked disease.

“Despite the fact that we all either have a personal connection or probably know someone who does, it doesn’t get talk about a lot,” said Streetman.

Currently, more than 30,000 Nebraskans are living with Alzheimer’s or dementia, and more than 80,000 Nebraskans are their caretakers.

Some of the bills advocates will discuss with state legislators include a bill addressing tax credits for caregivers, along with better care facilities in the state for those with Alzheimer’s or dementia. 

For some, this will be their first time advocating at the state capitol, even though they’ve long been aware of the impact Alzheimer’s disease has.

Caroline Guchu works as a communications intern for the Nebraska Alzheimer’s Association, but she’s also worked many years as a CNA in a dementia unit.

She says she’s excited to see the affects this advocacy day will have for the future of Alzheimer’s. 

“Working with Alzheimer’s patients for about 6-7 years now, and seeing the impact and nothing has happened and then now this is happening – it’s a good first step in the right direction,” said Guchu.

The Alzheimer’s Association hopes this state advocacy day shows lawmakers how important Alzheimer’s research and caregiver support is to Nebraskans.