June 12, 2009 - Regency Park hosted the Florida Advocacy Retreat, an assembly of Alzheimer’s advocates. The participants were a diverse group: volunteers, caregivers, support group leaders and others interested in statewide advocacy efforts. The participant’s unique perspectives contributed toward the goal of the meeting: to clarify common directions in advocacy and public policy across the three Florida chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association.

“This was a very important meeting for Alzheimer’s advocacy in Florida” said Peggy Connelly, National Director of Dementia Services for Harbor Retirement Associates, and coordinator of the event. Harbor Retirement Associates manages seventeen senior communities including two in Vero Beach: Regency Park, a senior independent living community and HarborChase of Vero Beach, the affiliated assisted living and memory care community.

Issues on the agenda included:

• What’s Hot in Alzheimer’s Issues
• Strategy Planning for Advocacy Campaigns
• Building Effective Relationships with Public Officials

As the two-day meeting drew to a close, Gloria Smith, CEO of the Florida Gulf Coast Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association noted, “This was a wonderful opportunity for us to develop a unified policy for Florida.”

An important outcome of the meeting was the establishment of a new Alzheimer’s advocacy group. Plans are in place to appoint and train a representative from one of the HRA communities to facilitate the new group.

One day, hopefully soon, Alzheimer’s disease will be eliminated. Until then the Alzheimer’s Association will tirelessly cultivate advocates, provide education, provide support to families and advance research on brain health.

…Because a world without Alzheimer’s will be a better world for everyone.

For further information contact:

Peggy Connelly
National Director of Dementia Services
Harbor Retirement Associates, LLC
1440 Highway A1A
Vero Beach, FL 32963
Cell Phone: 727-644-6314