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| Supporting Arkansas Families Since 1984 |
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- Alzheimer's Disease Overview
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- #1 - What is Alzheimer's Disease and Possible Signs
- #2 - Alzheimer's Disease - Communication
- #3 - Alzheimer's Disease - Bathing
- #4 - Alzheimer's Disease - Activities
- #5 - Alzheimer's Disease - Sleep Problems
- #6 - Alzheimer's Disease - Dressing
- #7 - Alzheimer's Disease - Eating
- #8 - Alzheimer's Disease - Incontinence
- #9 - Alzheimer's Caregiver Checklist
- #10 - What Can Friends and Family Do? A Caregiver Responds
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- Advocacy
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201 Markham Center Drive
Little Rock, AR 72205-1409
Phone: 501-224-0021 or
800-689-6090
Fax: 501-227-6303
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Caregiver Helpline:Advocacy and the Importance of Public Policy
Our mission at Alzheimer's Arkansas is to serve the needs of individuals and families affected by Alzheimer's disease and related disorders through family support, education, advocacy, and encouraging research. An important part of our mission is to advocate for families and individuals who are affected by Alzheimer's disease (AD).
The whole idea of advocacy, literally, giving voice on behalf of another, shouldn't seem like a brand new idea to people who care about people with Alzheimer's or who have cared for a relative with AD. Any caregiver who has struggled to find medical care for an AD patient or has worked with a nursing home to provide better care for their loved one has been an advocate.
We need to involve more people in the process of deciding what public programs are needed to support our families and to do the work necessary to change public attitudes. We need to use what we have - our families, our passion, and the public opinion we can influence- to make our case. We need to mobilize our members, those in our support groups, and our friends in other organizations. Through meetings, letters, phone calls, and other public actions we can capture the attention of decision makers and the media.
Writing to Members of Congress or Political Candidates:
Why? Legislators and candidates pay close attention to their mail. Letters are one of their most important ways to judge whether an issue is important to their constituencies. The volume of letters received can affect the way they vote on or perceive an issue. Sometimes one letter can make a difference. If issues of concern to persons with Alzheimer's and their families are to be addressed, a strong grassroots effort is required.
Tips: These suggestions for writing effective letters to legislators and candidates have been proven by experience:
- A personal letter is much more effective than a form letter - the more personal the better. A handwritten (if legible) letter is best, but individually typed and computer generated letters are fine
- Identify yourself as a constituent if you are one. If not, identify yourself as associated with Alzheimer's Arkansas Arkansas Programs and Services
- Focus on one issue (write a separate letter if you also have concerns about another subject). Try to stay to one page, two at the most.
- In the first paragraph, identify the public policy issue that concerns you. Emphasize the need for policy makers to pay attention to the growing threat of Alzheimer's as the population ages.
- Using your own words, give reasons for your position. Explain how it affects you and your family. Mention relevant personal experiences or concerns if possible.
- Be polite and persuasive. Name-calling, threats and sarcasm hurt our cause.
- Be sure to put your complete return address on the letter as well as the envelope.
- When writing to a candidate for a particular office, write to all of the candidates running. When writing to a member of Congress, write to both of your senators and your representative.
Arkansas’ U.S. Senators and Representatives are listed below:
| Blanche Lincoln |
Washington Office 355 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Phone: (202) 224-4843 Fax: (202) 228-1371 Arkansas Office 912 West Fourth St. Little Rock, AR 72201 Phone: 501-375-2993 Fax: 501-375-7064 Fort Smith: 501-782-9215 Monticello: 870-367-6925 Texarkana: 870-774-3106 Jonesboro: 870-910-6896 http://www.senate.gov/~lincoln/ E-mail: blanche_lincoln@lincoln.senate.gov |
| Mark Pryor |
Washington D.C. Office 825 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Phone: (202) 224-2353 Fax: (202) 228-0908 Arkansas Office Federal Building Room 2527 700 W. Capitol Little Rock, AR 72201 Phone: 501-324-6336 Fax: 501-324-5320 E-mail: senator.pryor@pryor.senate.gov |
Representatives
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District 1 Marion Berry |
Washington Office 1113 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: 202-225-4076 Fax: 202-225-5602 Jonesboro Office 108 E. Huntington Jonesboro, AR 72401 Phone: 870-972-4602 Fax: 870-972-4605 Cabot Office Mountain Home Office
http://www.house.gov/berry/ |
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District 2 Vic Snyder
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Washington, D.C. Office 1319 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Phone: 202-225-2506 Fax: 202-225-5903 2nd District Office in Arkansas 3118 Federal Building 700 W. Capitol Ave Little Rock, AR 72201 Phone: 501-324-5941 Fax: 501-324-6029 http://www.house.gov/snyder/ E-mail: snyder.congress@mail.house.gov |
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District 3 John Boozman |
Washington, DC Office 1708 Longworth House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 Phone: 202-225-4301 Fax: 202-225-5713 Fort Smith Office 30 South 6th Street, Room 240 Fort Smith, Arkansas 72901 Phone: 479-782-7787 Fax: 479-783-7662 Fayetteville Office 207 W. Center St. Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701 Phone: 479-442-5258 Fax: 479-442-0937 Harrison Office 402 N. Walnut, Suite 210 Harrison, Arkansas 72601 Phone: 870-741-6900 Fax: 870-741-7741
http://www.house.gov/boozman/ |
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District 4 Mike Ross |
Washington 314 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: 202-225-3772 Fax: 202-225-1314 Pine Bluff 2300 W. 29th St. Suite 1A Pine Bluff, AR 71603 Phone: 870-536-3376 Fax: 870-536-4058 Hot Springs 112 Buena Vista Hot Springs, AR 71913 Phone: 501-520-5892 Fax: 501-520-5873 El Dorado City Hall Room 202 204 Northwest Ave. El Dorado, AR 71730 Phone: 870-881-0681 Fax: 870-881-0683 Prescott 221 West Main Street Prescott, AR 71857 Phone: 870-887-6787 Fax: 870-887-6799
http://www.house.gov/ross/ |
Copyright © 2010
Last Date Modified
01/06/2012