As Executive Director of the Colorado Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, Wash Park neighbor, Jim Hammelev brings a wealth of expertise and passion to the fight against Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. With a deep commitment to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by these conditions, Jim leads the chapter’s efforts in providing education, advocacy, and support throughout the state.
What inspired you to take on a leadership role with the Alzheimer’s Association, and how do you see your organization making a lasting impact on those affected by the disease?
Thanks so much for the opportunity to share the work the Alzheimer’s Association is doing in communities throughout Colorado and the nation to lead the way to a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.
I was inspired to serve as the executive director of the Colorado Chapter due to my knowledge of the great work being done in the chapter to support those affected by Alzheimer’s, and by my interest in working more closely alongside our volunteers to advance our mission.
I see our organization making a lasting impact on those affected by the disease by continuing as a global leader in providing and promoting quality care and support for all affected. We will deliver on our mission to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.
What are some of the biggest challenges your nonprofit faces in raising awareness and funding for Alzheimer’s research, and how do you approach overcoming them?
Too many families learn about our information and referral services, support groups and education programs too late. They learn of our services by attending events like the Purple Gala or Walk to End Alzheimer’s, so these events are important in raising awareness while also raising funds.
This is an exciting time. Concern about Alzheimer’s and other dementia has grown as people realize that symptoms are not a normal part of aging. People are looking for information, resources, and support for those diagnosed and for information about the latest research in prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment. Research investments have yielded our first treatments and spurred more investigations, resulting in even more hope for the future. We know science will advance, technology will continue to transform, and attention and funding will grow. The Alzheimer’s Association is preparing for that future with our new 10-year vision.
We’re ready to face the challenges ahead. Knowing we expect the number of people living with Alzheimer’s or dementia to double by 2025, we have a renewed focus on community education and activation, healthcare capacity and readiness to prepare for the growing volume of people looking for screening, diagnosis and treatment – healthcare centers and staff need education, resources and infrastructure. And finally, accessibility of treatment and long-term care – as demand grows, for many diagnosed, comprehensive long-term care and treatments may be prohibitively expensive and hard to access.
We will continue to lead breakthrough research and a new era of quality care for those affected as we drive closer to cures. We will work to achieve the vision by activating individuals and communities, accelerating research, translation, and implementation, enabling communities and systems to deliver quality and equitable care, and fostering collaboration and understanding by educating and building awareness to reduce stigma, focusing on brain health, and advocating for individual and community needs.
In the next decade we will see individuals routinely take action to promote brain health, reduce risk, and prevent dementia. Widespread screening, diagnosis, quality care, and effective treatments for all stages of disease will be accessible to everyone. Clinical symptoms will be slowed, stopped, and even prevented.
How does your organization involve caregivers, patients, and their families in its initiatives, and what role do they play in shaping your programs?
Many volunteers have been directly affected by the disease. Some are living with Alzheimer’s while others are currently caring, or have cared for, someone living with the disease.
These volunteers are active in our advocacy efforts and share personal stories, engage in grassroots campaigns, and participate in events to raise awareness which help to shape legislative priorities. They serve important roles as fundraising event committees such as the Purple Ball. They serve as Awareness Champions and Community Educators.
By actively involving those personally affected, we ensure our initiatives are comprehensive, relevant, and effective in addressing the diverse needs of the community.
How do you advocate for Alzheimer’s-related policies and research funding, and what recent achievements are you most proud of?
We are the only Alzheimer’s and dementia organization with a presence at the federal level and within all fifty states working with policy makers to advance Alzheimer’s and dementia research, care, treatment, and support. We have helped secure $3.8 billion in NIH federal funding for Alzheimer’s and dementia research, a seven-fold increase over the last decade. We have recruited and trained grassroots volunteer advocates in every state to engage with policymakers and share their story/experience. We advocate relentlessly to grow support for policies that ensure access to and coverage for people living with dementia and caregivers.
I’m immensely proud of our work in 2024. Of the more than 1,800 health-related bills introduced in the House and Senate, ten of those health-related bills were signed into law. Of those ten health-related bills, three of them were Alzheimer’s Association priorities – the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease (NAPA) Reauthorization Act, the Alzheimer’s Accountability and Investment Act and the Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Reauthorization Act. These bipartisan bills will continue the critical work to support Alzheimer’s research and improve the delivery of clinical care and services for people impacted by Alzheimer’s and strengthen public health departments and public health infrastructure for Alzheimer’s and other dementia in their communities.
What are your top priorities for the organization moving forward, and how can we as a community help?
In this new era of treatment, we need to reach more people to educate them about the importance of early detection and how to reduce risk and promote brain health. While we continue to fund important research to achieve the goal of a cure, we need to support those who need help today.
There are many ways to help. Share the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline with others. People can call 800.272.3900 to speak confidentially with highly-trained and knowledgeable staff who can help with decision-making support, crisis assistance and education on issues that families face every day. Master’s-level clinicians are available around the clock to provide in-depth care consultation.
Invite us into your workplace, place of worship or organization for a free education program.
Volunteer to become a trained Alzheimer’s Association Community Educator and present to groups. Join one of our fundraising event committees or attend an event like the Purple Gala. Participate in The Longest Day, a virtual event where participants choose their own activity such as Pickleball, Mah Jongg or others, and raise money by asking friends and family to support your efforts. Or, become an Alzheimer’s Association advocate and share your personal “why” with legislators and their staff. Individuals may reach out to me at jhammelev@alz.org.
When you’re not working tirelessly with the Alzheimer’s Association, how do you spend your free time?
My wife Karla and I have been spending our free time discovering all that Denver and Wash Park communities have to offer. We have family in Larkspur and Timnath so we’re enjoying seeing them more often.
Of course, one of the many draws in living in the neighborhood is the park itself. We love taking our two dogs for walks around the park.
Moving forward I’m looking forward to becoming more involved in the community to help give back.
Thank you, Jim! To learn more, visit www.alz.org/co.