Maryland State Alzheimer’s Plan Overview
In 2011, Governor Martin O’Malley issued executive order 01.01.2011.21 establishing the Virginia I. Jones Commission on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders to evaluate the impact of Alzheimer’s in Maryland and issue a State Plan with recommendations for state policymakers. The Commission, which included caregivers, health care providers, community organizations, and state agencies, published the Maryland State Plan on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders in December 2012.
In October 2013, the legislature established the Virginia I. Jones Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Council into law (Chapter 305, Acts of 2013) to continue the work of the previous Commission. In reviewing state statutes, policies and programs, the Council was to improve and enhance quality of life and support and services for individuals living with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders and their families by promoting and expanding the availability and accessibility of home- and community-based support and service programs.
In 2019, the state enacted legislation (Chapter 410 of 2019) extending authorization of the Council to 2024 and expanding its charge to update and advocate for the Maryland State Plan on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders. The Council will also now examine the needs of individuals living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia and their caregivers to identify how the state can assist most effectively and advise the governor and General Assembly on related policy and funding issues. The Council is also now charged with developing and promoting strategies that encourage brain health and reduce cognitive decline.
In 2022, Governor Larry Hogan signed into law SB 0027 (Chapter 397 of 2022), requiring the Council to publish an updated State Plan by September 2022 and every five years thereafter. Following the conclusion of the state legislative session, the Council published the updated Maryland State Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias: 2022-2026. The updated state plan presents five goals to improve the state’s response to Alzheimer’s. These include improving public awareness; enhancing quality and coordination of dementia care; supporting dementia family caregivers; and increasing the collection and use of data to drive dementia policy that address key areas that are significant to persons living with dementia and their caregivers.
Maryland 2025 Policy Priorities
Enhance Dementia Awareness and Data
Maryland has the highest prevalence of Alzheimer's disease in the nation among those 65 and older, yet lacks comprehensive state-specific data to inform policy decisions. While new Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved treatments can slow disease progression in early stages, many health care providers and residents lack awareness of these available treatment options. The Alzheimer's Association is urging state lawmakers to enact legislation to require annual reporting of state-specific dementia data and expand dementia-related public health outreach to inform health care providers and the public about available treatments.
Restore Funding for the Dementia Care Navigation Program
Individuals diagnosed or caring for someone living with Alzheimer’s have to navigate a complex network of services and benefits to meet their care needs. With over 120,000 Marylanders living with Alzheimer’s and the Medicaid program spending over $1.2 billion for their care each year, Maryland needs a strong infrastructure for providing accessible support to individuals living with dementia and their caregivers. The Alzheimer’s Association is calling on the General Assembly to restore the full $2.4 million for the Long-Term Care and Dementia Care Navigation Program.
Maryland State Advocacy Day
Join advocates on Tuesday, February 20, 2025 in Annapolis for State Advocacy Day! Advocates will have the opportunity to share their stories with state legislators and urge their support for policy solutions that address the needs of Marylanders living with dementia and their families.
Sign Up to Learn About Advocacy Opportunities in Maryland
Maryland’s Advocates Achieve Legislative Wins
Thanks to our hardworking advocates in states like Maryland, AIM is leading the way to pass laws that improve the lives of those living with dementia and their caregivers. In Maryland’s 2022 legislative session, advocates worked to develop, introduce and grow support for several bills that became laws.
Find My Chapter
Together, we’re making an impact. Find an Alzheimer’s Association chapter in your community for more ways to engage.
127,200
people living with Alzheimer’s in Maryland
247,000
Marylanders are providing unpaid care
$1.2 Billion
Medicaid cost of caring for people living with Alzheimer’s (2020)
1,129
deaths from Alzheimer’s in 2021
17%
in hospice with a primary diagnosis of dementia
97.3%
increase of geriatricians in Maryland needed to meet the demand in 2050
Resources to Drive Change in Maryland
The following resources developed by AIM and the Alzheimer’s Association will help you learn more about the issues impacting people living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers, how Maryland policymakers are addressing these gaps, and how you can help drive change.