Wolf Administration Testifies at U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging Alzheimer’s Hearing

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Washington DC – Department of Aging Secretary Teresa Osborne testified on the steps Pennsylvania has taken to meet the needs of individuals living with Alzheimer’s, their families, and caregivers at the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging’s hearing, “Changing the Trajectory of Alzheimer’s: Reducing Risk, Detecting Early Symptoms and Improving Data.”

“Pennsylvania’s current infrastructure, anchored by our Older American’s Act, required State Plan on Aging and our State Plan for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders, is in perfect alignment with the recognized need to further invest in a nationwide public health response that will promote better care and support for those living with Alzheimer’s,” said Secretary Osborne.

Pennsylvania currently has more than 400,000 individuals living with Alzheimer’s Disease or a related disorder. In 2014, the Department of Aging released Pennsylvania’s State Plan for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders. The plan, using public input, outlines seven key recommendations to develop a strategy to mobilize the commonwealth’s response to the anticipated increase in incidence of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. Since the plan was developed, the department has held three statewide forums and seven regional roundtable discussions to engage with stakeholders and inspire action at the local level.

“Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are among the greatest public health challenges facing older Americans. As our population ages, the number of people living with the disease and their caregivers will only grow,” said U.S. Senator Bob Casey, Ranking Member of the Special Committee on Aging. “That’s why I will continue fighting to increase Alzheimer’s research funding to find a cure. Bipartisan legislation, like the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act, is also needed to ensure those living with the disease and those caring for them have the support they need.”

Most recently, the Wolf Administration announced the formation of Pennsylvania’s Alzheimer’s State Plan Task Force. The task force was created to take a lead role in implementing and championing the goals and recommendations of Pennsylvania’s State Plan for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders.

Objectives of the task force include:

Working with local organizations, entities, advocates, and other stakeholders to identify and share best practices that support the goals and the overall success of the plan
Leading efforts to review and revise the state plan, as necessary
Developing and facilitating the actions needed to carry out the plan
Pursuing research and reviewing any other issues that are relevant to Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders
Assisting in planning the annual Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Forum
Assisting in the development of an annual update to the plan

Alzheimer’s is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly inhibits brain function, and it is the most common form of dementia. According to the Alzheimer’s Association an estimated 5.7 million Americans currently live with Alzheimer’s and it is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.

To learn more about Alzheimer’s disease, visit alz.org. To learn more about the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, visit aging.pa.gov