Susan DeMarois, CA Gov. Affairs Director Alzheimer’s Association on the importance of Educating Caregivers, Doctors, First Responders, and the Public about Alzheimer's

*This episode is lovingly dedicated to our guest, Susan DeMarois's mother, Hope Harney Brewer.
Episode 16: Susan DeMarois, California Government Affairs Director of Alzheimer’s Association, learned first-hand the importance of education when it comes to Alzheimer's after her own Mother, Hope, was diagnosed. She talks about the many programs the Alzheimer's Association offers and and how they are targeting not only Caregivers, but Doctors, First Responders, and, of course, the Public. The Alzheimer's Association is on a mission to educate the nuances of the disease and the many ways it manifests, and then give people the best tools for dealing with those afflicted with the disease. 
Since 2013, Susan has directed state government affairs for the national Alzheimer’s Association.  As a registered lobbyist in Sacramento, Susan advocates for legislative, budget and regulatory changes at the state capitol on behalf of the 2.3 million Californians directly impacted by Alzheimer’s disease.  At the state level, the Alzheimer’s Association has secured key legislative victories in dementia training, physician education and Alzheimer’s research, raising more than $26 million to-date thorough the voluntary tax check-off fund.  This year, the organization led the effort to implement the Healthy Brain Initiative in California, resulting in a $5 million investment in the state’s public health infrastructure.  The Alzheimer’s Association led development of California’s State Plan for Alzheimer’s Disease: An Action Plan for 2011 – 2021 and served on the California Task Force on Family Caregiving in 2017/2018.  Currently, Susan serves on the California Health and Human Services Agency Secretary’s Alzheimer’s Disease Advisory Committee as well as the state’s Olmstead Advisory Committee.  The Association actively participates in the California Aging and Disability Alliance (CADA) and the California Collaborative for Long-term Services and Supports.  Prior to joining the Alzheimer’s Association, Susan led government and community relations for the University of California health and clinical affairs supporting the work of academic medical centers, schools of medicine/nursing and physician groups.  A graduate of CSU Chico, Susan started her career working for the U.S. Congress and California State Assembly.  Susan resides in Sacramento, CA and draws inspiration for her work from her own family’s experience with dementia.

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