State Sen.Kevin Kelly, R, a ranking member of the General Assembly’s Aging Committee, welcomed a group of Ridgefield students to Hartford Wednesday as part of the Alzheimer’s Association, Connecticut Chapter Lobby Day at the Capitol.
“Data released today from the Alzheimer’s Association shows that the risk of developing Alzheimer’s at age 65 is 1 in 6 for a woman and 1 in 11 for a man,” Kelly said. “The numbers show us this is not only an aging issue, but a women’s issue as well. We have to raise the level of awareness about this disease, and we need to do more to support those suffering as well as those who provide care.”
The 6th grade students from East Ridge Middle School met with Senator Kelly to discuss legislative efforts to support Alzheimer’s patients and caregivers. They also visited the offices of other state legislators to lobby in support of Senate Bill 179 An Act Concerning the Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Task Force’s Recommendations on Training. The students handed out flyers about the bill and told the legislators why they wanted them to support the legislation.
The proposed bill the students lobbied in support of was created as a result of the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Task Force’s recommendations on training. This legislation seeks to put new standards in place to extend training to more health professionals.
Kevin Kelly represents the 21st Senatorial District, which includes the towns of Monroe, Seymour, Shelton and Stratford. He can be reached at 800.842.1421, at Kevin.Kelly@cga.ct.gov.