Each month, we’re featuring an advocate who engages with policymakers to ensure priorities that improve the lives of people impacted by Alzheimer’s and all other dementia remain top-of-mind in Congress.

When Alzheimer’s disease touched the family of Tammi Lehnertz of Arizona for the sixth time, it wasn’t just another diagnosis — it was a call to action. With a relentless determination to make progress against this devastating disease and protect future generations, Tammi has become a powerful voice in the fight to end Alzheimer’s and other dementia.

Eight years ago, when Tammi’s dad was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, he became the sixth person in his immediate family to be diagnosed. “We’d already lost my grandfather, two aunts, and two uncles,” said Tammi. 

Because of her family’s experience with the disease, they recognized the symptoms before his formal diagnosis. “He recognized it in himself first,” said Tammi.

Tammi recalls going out for lunch with her parents for her birthday in 2016. By the time they got home after lunch, her dad couldn’t remember where they had gone or what they had done. In April 2017, her dad was formally diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. 

When it comes to caregiving, Tammi has embraced agility and support from her community. Her dad, who had always liked to walk, started sneaking out of the house to go for walks, but would get lost. The family put up notes with reminders, set up doorbells and alarms to notify them if he left, and put a bluetooth tracking device in his wallet so they could find him if he wandered off. Recently, the family came upon an even better and safer solution. 

“Now our neighbor is walking with him every morning,” said Tammi. “He was already walking at 6 a.m. So my dad’s been walking with them, and he hasn’t made any references to wanting to go for a walk or leave the house.”

Last month, Tammi moved her parents down the street from her house so they would live closer. Between her and her brother, who lives six miles away, they work to make sure their parents have all of the care they need. “I’m cooking all their meals,” said Tammi. “My mom’s physically disabled and going blind from macular degeneration. So between the two of them, they need a lot of care.”

In her extended family, with cousins spread out as far as Canada, Tammi has become a resource. “I have cousins sending me messages and asking about things for their own health as well,” said Tammi. 

Tammi first became involved with the Alzheimer’s Association through the Walk to End Alzheimer’s in 2014 when her uncle was diagnosed. After her dad’s diagnosis, Tammi started a team in Phoenix. The next year she joined the planning committee, which she still serves on today. Then in 2023, Tammi became an advocate and attended the AIM Advocacy Forum in Washington, D.C. 

“It was a natural progression from doing the Walk to advocating, because I made it my mission after my dad was diagnosed that I would do anything I could to help end this disease before it impacts my kids, or my future grandkids, or any more of my family,” said Tammi. “I took this on for my entire family.” 

Since her first Advocacy Forum, Tammi has also attended two State Advocacy Days and another state advocacy event in Arizona. During a recent meeting with two state legislators, Rep. Elda Luna-Nájera and Sen. Lupe Contreras, Tammi felt an instant connection when she discovered they were caregivers themselves. 

“They got it. They were like, ‘We’ll do anything you need. We’ll support everything,’” said Tammi. “They both have Alzheimer’s in their family, so they’ve seen what it does with grandparents. And now they’re taking care of their parents.”

At the federal level, Tammi is looking forward to working with the newly elected Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) and hopefully meeting with his office at this year’s Advocacy Forum. “We’ll have a new person to meet with this year that I haven’t met with yet,” said Tammi. “But we did meet with one of his aides at the Alzheimer’s Association office in March, and he was very positive.” 

Reflecting on her past experiences attending the Advocacy Forum, Tammi enjoys meeting up with her fellow advocates and spending time with the good friends she’s made. “They’re like family,” said Tammi. “Some of my favorite people are those who I advocate with…We all talk, and there’s no strangers.” 

When it comes to the fight against Alzheimer’s and other dementia, Tammi never misses an opportunity to spread awareness and encourage others to join the cause. On a recent cruise, she made sure to use a bag with Alzheimer’s messaging, posted the photos on social media and spoke with someone who had volunteered with her college sorority. “She said their charity was the Alzheimer’s Association, so I’m trying to get her involved in our Phoenix Walk,” said Tammi. 

“[Advocacy] doesn’t take that much time. You can be out living your life, and as you talk to people, you bring awareness, you’re advocating…You just have to bring awareness to this disease and speak for those who can’t speak for themselves.”

Learn how you can get involved in the fight to end Alzheimer’s and other dementia by becoming an advocate like Tammi.