The Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Commission is pleased to present the Dementia State Plan 2024-2027: Building a Dementia-Capable Virginia.

The Commission has revised and updated the Dementia State Plan in collaboration with researchers and stakeholders, and through a statewide Dementia Capable Summit. Additionally, the Commission accepted comments from the public by phone, mail, and e-mail from August 1, 2023, through August 31, 2023.

An estimated 150,000 Virginians were living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia in 2020, and this number is forecast to rise to 190,000 by 2025. A fully realized Plan would ensure the services and supports they will need are available. This Plan also contains a new, sixth goal to address brain health and dementia risk reduction that should help prevent some of the projected increase in dementia over coming decades. The six goals offer a comprehensive vision of a dementia-capable Virginia:

1. Coordinate quality dementia services to ensure dementia-capability.

2. Use dementia-related data to support policy development and service provision, and to improve public health outcomes.

3. Increase awareness and promote dementia-specific training.

4. Provide access to quality coordinated care for individuals living with dementia in the most integrated setting.

5. Expand resources for dementia-specific translational research and evidence-based practices.

6. Enhance brain health and address modifiable risk factors for dementia.

To continue building a dementia-capable Virginia, the Commission has developed recommendations and strategies that will be overseen by focused workgroups based within the Commission to facilitate the realization of the six goals. The Commission will evaluate and track progress on the recommendations and looks forward to reporting accomplishments under the Plan in the future. Although achieving the vision contained in the Plan will likely require additional resources, progress toward the goals can also be made through innovation and collaboration with stakeholders across the Commonwealth. We welcome your thoughts and ideas. To share them with the Commission, please contact any of the Commission members or staff at the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services.

Sincerely,

/s/ Lana Sargent, Chair
Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Commission