RD284 - The 2014 Report of the Virginia Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Commission: Recommendations and Activities


Executive Summary:
Pursuant to Code of Virginia § 51.5-154, the Virginia Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Commission (Commission) must submit to the Governor, General Assembly, and Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) a report regarding the recommendations and activities of the Commission. The Commission, chaired by Lynne Seward, develops and oversees the implementation of the Commonwealth's plan for meeting the needs of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders and their caregivers.

Dementia State Plan and National Alzheimer’s Plan

In December 2011, the Commission released the Dementia State Plan: Virginia’s Response to the Needs of Individuals with Dementia and their Caregivers. This plan serves to advise policy makers, legislators, other public officials, health and human services professionals, advocates, and other interested people about best practices and strategies as the Commission and all public and private partners work together to better serve individuals with dementias and their family members, friends, and care providers. The five goals of the state plan establish a comprehensive vision for:

1. Coordinating quality dementia services to ensure a dementia–capable services system,
2. Using dementia-related data to improve public health,
3. Increasing awareness and creating dementia-specific training,
4. Providing access to quality coordinated care in the most integrated setting, and
5. Expanding resources for translational research and evidence-based practices.

On May 15, 2012, the federal government released the country’s first National Alzheimer’s Plan (Plan). It is the result of a mandate in the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA), which Congress passed unanimously in December 2010. The Plan, which will result in important progress when fully implemented, seeks to prevent and effectively treat Alzheimer’s by 2025.

These concerted state and federal planning efforts will provide the best chance of overcoming Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. Acting in its advisory capacity and to further the Dementia State Plan goals, the Commission recommends the following actions to effectively and efficiently serve individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and their caregivers.