For those Florida residents who are interested, I am posting an e-mail I received from our Southeastern Florida Chapter:
IMPORTANT: Need Immediate Action
Call the Florida Legislature Today (before April 20).
Tell them to stop reducing funds for Alzheimer Respite Services for Caregivers
Overview - What you need to know:
During last year’s Legislative Session and the budget-cutting Special Session (in January), Alzheimer services were reduced almost 14%. We are asking the Florida Legislature to STOP reducing Alzheimer respite services as they make their final decision on the 2009-10 budget.
GOOD NEWS: The House of Representatives’ budget does NOT CUT Alzheimer’s services.
BAD NEWS: The Senate reduces Alzheimer’s services another 5%. If the Senate prevails, Alzheimer service funds will be reduced almost 20% !!
Request for Immediate Action:
Please contact Legislators listed below TODAY. Ask them to STOP cutting Alzheimer respite services. We encourage you to paraphrase some of the bullets below:
· * I am calling to ask you NOT to cut Alzheimer respite services in the 2009-10 State budget. We support the House of Representative's position -- NO cuts to Alzheimer respite funds.
· * Alzheimer services were reduced 14% during last year’s session and the Special Session. While other services were spared deep cuts under the Department of Elder Affairs, Alzheimer services continued getting cut.
· * Respite services keep families together at home instead of a costly nursing home. The cost of Alzheimer respite programs serve 29 people vs. the cost of care for 1 person in nursing home.
· * Respite dollars fund lifesaving, direct services. Without respite services, more than half of caregivers will die before their loved one with dementia.
· * Caregiver population in Florida has drastically increased. A recent report shows that more than 800,000 Floridians are caring for persons with dementia. This is much greater than national estimates.
· * TAKE THE HOUSE of REPRESENTATIVES RECOMMENDATIONS --- DO NOT cut Alzheimer respite funds.
Joan-I already contacted everyone I could think of. Next step is to stand on a street corner holding a sign. Can't do that in my community-can we stand outside Publix in Tradition?
Ah, no, Tom (the Publix manager) would frown on that. I just noticed that Rep. Adam Fetterman's name was not on the list. He was at the Memory Walk, and very supportive of our needs. I will be sure to contact him too.