Washington, D.C., Nov. 7, 2024 — Today, the Alzheimer’s Association kicks off its third annual State Dementia Services Coordinator (DSC) Summit in Washington, D.C., as part of its ongoing effort to coordinate the Alzheimer’s and dementia response at the state level across the United States. The 2024 DSC Summit will convene state agency officials tasked with developing, advancing and implementing dementia-specific policies across state agencies.
State agency officials from 21 states and Washington, D.C. will come together in the nation’s capital to discuss how they can better implement statewide solutions and increase support for Americans impacted by dementia. The Summit will feature sessions on improving dementia care navigation, caregiver support, advancing health equity, bridging the gap between public health and aging, the role of community health workers in dementia care, and crisis response, among other topics.
“The Alzheimer’s Association has been at the forefront of advancing bipartisan legislation to ensure a coordinated statewide response to Alzheimer’s by creating state positions dedicated to addressing this devastating disease. We’ve been working closely with these state agency officials to improve the response and treatment of the disease at the state level through the power of our national network,” said Robert Egge, Alzheimer’s Association chief public policy officer and Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM) executive director. “We look forward to working with state officials across the nation in the years ahead to find new ways to support the Alzheimer’s community.”
Alzheimer’s and other dementia continue to place an undue burden on state health systems, individuals living with the disease and their families. One in 3 seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia according to the 2024 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures. In 2024, Alzheimer’s and other dementia will cost the nation $360 billion, including $231 billion in Medicare and Medicaid.
“Addressing the Alzheimer’s and dementia public health crisis requires a coordinated response across state agencies and divisions within state government,” said Jennifer Rosen, vice president, state affairs, Alzheimer’s Association and AIM. “We are excited to once again bring together dementia services coordinators from across the country to share their experiences and discuss solutions that will lessen the burden for people impacted by this devastating disease.”
The DSC Summit is part of Alzheimer’s Association and AIM efforts to work with state policymakers to improve the lives and reduce financial burdens of those impacted by Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. Dementia services coordinators are state agency officials who lead efforts to enhance coordination by supporting the implementation of dementia-specific policies and working with community partners to implement state-funded programs.
Learn more about how AIM is advancing state policies to improve the lives of those impacted by Alzheimer’s and other dementia.
