The potential creation of a permanent state division and advisory committee dedicated to Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders has won praise from Pennsylvania’s senior living industry advocates, who also have asked lawmakers to ensure equal participation among representatives from the entire long-term care continuum.
SB 840 / HB 2400 in the Keystone State would establish the Alzheimer’s, Dementia and Related Disorders office and advisory committee within the state Department of Aging. Sponsor Sen. Rosemary Brown (R-40) said the bill would significantly improve Pennsylvania’s response to the “growing ADRD crisis” by requiring entities to collaborate with other stakeholders, advocate for effective policies and secure federal funding in efforts related to the disease.
The ADRD Office would oversee activities related to the successful implementation of the state plan, provide strategic direction to the advisory committee, establish relationships with other commonwealth agencies and organizations, identify service gaps, increase awareness of and facilitate access to coordinated care, among other duties.
Brown said the establishment of the state division and advisory committee would improve the state’s ability to secure federal funding and implement policies to help those affected by the disease.
“This legislation is critical in addressing the Alzheimer’s crisis in Pennsylvania,” Brown said in a statement. “Our current approach lacks the necessary coordination, leading to inefficiencies and missed opportunities for comprehensive care and support.”
Given Pennsylvania’s aging demographic and the growing need to care for those living with ADRD, Pennsylvania Health Care Association President and CEO Zach Shamberg called the creation of permanent offices “positive steps” to ensuring that the commonwealth can meet the needs of its residents.
“As with any advisory committee and division specifically focused on serving older adults, we strongly encourage lawmakers to ensure participation and representation from the broader long-term care continuum — including nursing homes and assisted living and personal care communities — to create and execute strategies, such as specialized training for caregivers, aimed at responding to these terrible diseases,” Shamberg told McKnight’s Senior Living.
LeadingAge Pennsylvania said that its members are serving an increasing number of residents with Alzheimer’s and related diseases, and it agrees that it is “critical” that voices throughout the aging services ecosystem are part of the conversation.
Citing data from the 2022 state Bureau of Human Services Licensing Annual Report, the Pennsylvania Assisted Living Association noted that 28% of personal care homes in the state care for residents with dementia-related diagnoses, with 6% of the homes exclusively dedicated to serving individuals living with ADRD.
“These numbers have shown consistent growth year over year, underscoring the critical need for targeted support mechanisms,” PALA Executive Director Susan Saxinger told McKnight’s Senior Living. “The importance of this legislation cannot be overstated.”
Saxinger added that the bills would “significantly” enhance Pennsylvania’s ability to support residents living with ADRD, along with their caregivers. She also said that the bills align with the state’s strategic approach to providing comprehensive care and advancing its support infrastructure.
Brown acknowledged the state plan but said “progress has stalled.” She has said that the state’s approach to Alzheimer’s is “fragmented, with multiple agencies working in silos without the necessary coordination.”
“Our mission is clear — we must break down bureaucratic barriers and foster collaboration across government agencies,” Brown said. “This is more than just policy — it is a commitment to protect our loved ones and ensure Pennsylvania leads the way in Alzheimer’s care and support.”
According to Brown, 280,000 older adults in Pennsylvania live with Alzheimer’s, a number expected to increase to 320,000 by 2025. In 2020, the state spent almost $3.7 billion on Medicaid costs for Alzheimer’s care, and there is a projected 10% increase in coming years.
According to data analyzed by the National Center for Assisted Living, 37% of the state’s assisted living residents have a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 11.5% of the state’s population aged 65 years or more years had an Alzheimer’s diagnosis in 2020.
In a letter to the editor in the Observer-Reporter, Clay Jacobs, executive director of the Greater Pennsylvania Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, said that the state’s approach to the “dementia crisis” has fallen short, with implementation of the 2014 state plan “woefully incomplete.”
The legislation passed the state Senate in June and was referred to the state House Health Committee.
