On Thursday, Nov. 3, the Pennsylvania Department of Aging hosted the 2022 Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders (ADRD) Virtual Forum to supply schooling and assess progress on points associated to ADRD, strengthen partnerships and group assist, establish how healthcare techniques can work collaboratively on these points inside their communities, and talk about alternatives to assist advance Pennsylvania’s State Plan on ADRD.
This yr’s annual discussion board, which attracted greater than 270 attendees, highlighted among the commonwealth’s ADRD finest practices associated to supported determination making, intergenerational programming, respite care, and constructing dementia-friendly communities. Secretary of Aging Robert Torres mentioned that the stresses of dwelling with ADRD are made worse when people and their caregivers develop into remoted.
“Staying socially engaged and connected with others is beneficial in so many ways. The strongest social connections are those shared with people who care about your well-being and happiness. Talking with others who are living with dementia can have many benefits. Whether it’s expressing concerns, receiving advice, or just hearing a different perspective, connecting with others who have dementia can make a huge difference,” mentioned Secretary Torres.
Secretary Torres additionally famous that in Pennsylvania, in response to the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2021 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures Report:
There had been an estimated 280,000 folks aged 65 and older with Alzheimer’s in Pennsylvania in 2020 and this quantity is predicted to extend to 320,000 by 2025.{div} {/div}
- There had been 4,150 deaths from Alzheimer’s Disease in 2019.
- Nearly one in each three seniors who dies every year in Pennsylvania has Alzheimer’s or another dementia.
The discussion board included a dialogue on supported determination making for older adults, notably those that have been identified with neurodegenerative ailments; displays from organizations that assist folks dwelling with ADRD and their caregivers; the introduction of Dementia Friendly Pennsylvania; and a panel dialogue on intergenerational companionship and respite care.
Among the panel audio system had been Wesley Perkins, who resides with cognitive impairment, and Mary Perkins, his spouse and caregiver.
“Being my husband’s support and partner on his dementia journey has shown me avenues of caring that I hadn’t experienced. Having others create opportunities for him to be engaged, to laugh, share knowledge and feel valued are priceless. Every chance I have to gain knowledge and get reinforced by others gives me a lift and makes a challenging journey a little easier,” mentioned Mary Perkins.
The ADRD Task Force was established by Governor Tom Wolf in 2018. Its members symbolize a various group of people and organizations from throughout the commonwealth, together with representatives from client advocacy teams and long-term care organizations.
“The Pennsylvania ADRD Task Force is laser focused on impacting and improving the lives of Pennsylvanians living with Alzheimer’s, related dementias and other neurocognitive disorders and to provide support and information for their families and caregivers,” mentioned Renee Chenault Fattah, ADRD Task Force chair. “We were especially excited about this year’s forum which highlighted what is available through innovative caregiving supports and strategies and because we were virtual, our hope was to have reached as many people as possible across the commonwealth.”
The ADRD Forum is held yearly every November to focus on National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and to additional the commonwealth’s progress in implementing the suggestions of the State Plan for Alzheimer’s Disease & Related Disorders.
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