In 2012, the Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter coordinated a meeting with Governor Jack Markell, Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services Rita Landgraf, and Director of the Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities (DSAAPD) Bill Love to discuss the importance of mapping out a strategy to address Alzheimer’s disease in Delaware, including through the development of an Alzheimer’s state plan. The Alzheimer’s Association and DSAAPD established a Task Force of caregivers, advocates, and professionals representing a broad range of organizations. With support from DSAAPD staff, the Task Force published the Delaware State Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders in December 2013. Since the release of the Delaware State Plan, an Advisory Committee made up of a variety of stakeholders from the Alzheimer’s community has been meeting to oversee the Plan’s implementation.

Recognize Alzheimer’s as a Public Health Issue

Delaware is home to over 22,000 individuals living with Alzheimer’s and 31,000 unpaid caregivers. With a rapidly growing population with dementia, a robust public health response is needed to mitigate the impact. The Alzheimer’s Association is urging state lawmakers to support legislation requiring the Departments of Aging and Public Health to recognize Alzheimer’s and other dementia as a public health issue to increase awareness, promote risk reduction and the value of obtaining a timely and accurate diagnosis.