Locals join more than 150 Illinois residents in Capitol
More than 150 Illinois citizens will come together to make their voices heard in Springfield on Wednesday, April 26. One of those advocates is Robin Zielin of Elmhurst.
Robin lost her mother to Alzheimer’s disease, and is hoping her local legislators hear her voice, “I know when I am standing in the Capitol, speaking one-on-one with a legislator, they hear me. We need to reach more legislators on a personal level, to get them to hear what is happening in their constituency if they haven’t had to deal with it already in their own family.”
The bills advocates like Robin are asking their representatives to support are SB 1624 and HB 3392. This legislation would protect the growing number of long-term care residents currently being abandoned in hospital psychiatric units and provide the necessary penalties to enforce legally-required staffing levels, saving lives and greatly enhancing quality of life for long-term care residents.
“Family members of Alzheimer’s patients are already dealing with a high level of stress. To add on the extremely difficult situation of an involuntary discharge, when they may have had to wait for months to get the patient admitted in the first place, is unconscionable,” Robin said. “When my mother was struggling through her journey with Alzheimer’s, there wasn’t a lot I could do except comfort her and try to ease the strain on my father and siblings. It’s a pretty helpless feeling. As a constituent advocate, I can at least help others who may not even realize the issues they will run up against.
Another advocate joining Robin in Springfield is first time attendee, and Schaumburg native, Earl Bateman. Earl lost his wife to Alzheimer’s in 2015. “My wife was in a nursing home the last year of her life. The last seven months we were fortunate to have her under hospice care which was excellent. The care at the nursing home left me with a bad taste in my mouth as they were not communitive and only cared about getting their money. It was obvious that the home was under staffed as there was a great deal of turn over that I observed. I want to make this trip to help speak out about the need to improve care at these institutions.”
Earl and Robin are looking forward to speaking with their local representatives Senator Chris Nybo, Representative Patti Bellock and Representative Fred Crespo who have all been supportive of Alzheimer’s related issues in the past, but have yet to co-sponsor the bill. “I know my legislators have been helpful in the past , I truly hope I can count on them regarding this important legislation.”
“When you live with someone who has Alzheimer’s, when you become a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s, your perspective changes,” Robin said. “They end up not being able to care for themselves much less represent themselves. Someone needs to be their voice.”
The 2017 Illinois Action Summit, hosted by the Alzheimer’s Association- Greater Illinois Chapter, will give Advocates a chance to meet with their elected lawmakers to help draw critical attention to the sixth deadliest disease in America.
More than 220,000 Illinois residents are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Advocates, those diagnosed with the disease, caregivers and champions of the cause, will be at the Capitol speaking with lawmakers from 12:00pm- 3:30pm on April 26.
There are many opportunities for video and interview requests before, during, and after the event.
Contact Kaylin Risvold 312-315-5496 [email protected] with any requests or questions.
About the Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter:
The Alzheimer’s Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s research, care and support. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. The Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Illinois Chapter serves 68 counties in Illinois. Since 1980, the Chapter has provided reliable information and care consultation; created supportive services for families; increased funding for dementia research; and influenced public policy changes.
