State establishes office dedicated to Alzheimer's Disease support

(The Center Square) – For nearly 300,000 Pennsylvanians suffering from dementia and their families, there will soon be a single state agency to lead policy initiatives and coordinate systems of care.

Last week, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a new state budget, which includes funds earmarked for the Department of Aging to establish an Alzheimer’s, Dementia and Related Disorders, or ADRD, office.

Similar bills had been circulating both chambers of the state legislature, with support across party lines. Additional funds were designated for research on Alzheimer’s and several other neurological disorders.

“Today is a huge win for the Alzheimer’s Association and all the selfless advocates who have been tirelessly pushing for this legislation for years,” said Rep. Maureen Madden, D-Tobyhanna, who sponsored a House proposal to that end.

The funding will be a huge leap forward from the state’s current spending of a mere $250,000 on ADRD education, outreach and programming.

According to Madden’s office, “The ultimate goal is to coordinate across state agencies, advocate policy and leverage resources to better respond to the unique and complex needs of those living with dementia disorders and the systems that support them.”

"Our current approach lacks the necessary coordination, leading to inefficiencies and missed opportunities for comprehensive care and support,” said Sen.Rosemary Brown, R-Scotrun, who sponsored legislation in the upper chamber.

For many caregivers, those inefficiencies make navigating an ADRD diagnosis nearly impossible. While promising advances in diagnosis and treatment are being made, gaining access to the right kinds of care can be limited by expense, silos within the field, and staffing shortages across the healthcare industry.

What the state spends on resources is vastly overshadowed by the cost to Medicare. In 2020, the Medicare cost for ADRD was $3.7 billion and is expected to have increased 10% by 2025.

With people living longer, the number of those living with dementia is increasing every year. About 50% of Pennsylvanians over 85 suffer from ADRD. The total number of those diagnosed is expected to exceed 320,000 next year, with numbers continuing to increase as the population ages and diagnostic tools improve.

“For years, people living with Alzheimer’s Disease and related disorders have not been prioritized in Pennsylvania. We can and we must do better for them and their loved ones who care for them,” said Madden.