Alzheimer's Association Maryland Advocacy Week

Maryland State Senator Clarence K. Lam will virtually meet with constituents at the Alzheimer's Assocation 2022 Maryland Advocacy Week, February 14 to 18. The event is held to galvanize support for legislative policies that impact 110,000 Maryland residents living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementia and 238,000 caregivers. Senator Lam presents February 14, 6 to 6:30 p.m.

The free virtual event connects constituents to state and local legislators that include Maryland Department of Aging Secretary Rona Kramer, allowing direct advocacy for public policies that improve care and support services. "Advocacy Week is an opportunity for individuals to tell policymakers what their challenges are and what measures will improve their lives," says David McShea, executive director of the Alzheimer's Association Greater Maryland Chapter.

The three Alzheimer's Association's 2022 Maryland Legislative priorities are:

• Support Dementia Caregiving in Maryland Communities requires an ongoing appropriation from each Maryland Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) to have a dementia caregiving navigator (DCN) on staff. The DCN supports family caregivers through care planning and referral to support groups and education. Fostering dementia-friendly communities through outreach events, scheduling professional consultations and offering cognitive screenings are additional services. Maryland Department of Aging (MDoA) grants fund each AAA based on a formula calculating the number of county residents with dementia.
• Develop a Dementia Capable Maryland State Government is sponsored by Senator Malcolm Augustine (Prince George's County) and Speaker Pro Tem Sheree Sample-Hughes (Dorchester and Wicomico Counties). The legislation requires the Maryland Department of Health to establish a full-time director of dementia services coordinator to oversee dementia services. This includes implementing the Maryland Alzheimer's state plan that manages the Virginia I. Jones Alzheimer's Disease & Related Disorders Council. Other measures include identifying and supporting the development of dementia-specific training and applying for grants to expand and improve services for affected Marylanders.

• Improve the Quality of Care in Maryland's Assisted Living Facilities—sponsored by Delegate Lisa Belcastro (Baltimore County) and Senator Pamela Beidle (Anne Arundel County)—requires the Maryland Health Commission to conduct a study to elevate the quality of care at Maryland's 1,276 assisted living facilities with 10 or fewer beds. These smaller providers, who comprise 76 percent of the state's assisted living facilities, care for 29 percent of the patient population. Assessing standards of care at these facilities increases knowledge about the unique role they provide for vulnerable seniors.

Eric Colchamiro, Alzheimer’s Association, director of Government Affairs, Maryland, says, "The Alzheimer's Association is grateful to Maryland Department of Aging Secretary Rona Kramer, State Long-Term Care Ombudswoman Stevanne Ellis--a hero during the COVID-19 pandemic--and most importantly, our advocates, who will all come together to engage elected officials and learn from policymakers for our annual Maryland advocacy week."

MARYLAND ADVOCACY WEEK, FEBRUARY 14-18

County-Wide Elected Meetings

Monday, February 14

5 p.m. | Worcester and Somerset Counties | Delegate Charles J. Otto

5:30 p.m. | Harford County | Delegate Teresa E. Reilly

6 p.m. | Howard County | Senator Clarence K. Lam

6:30 p.m. | Carroll County | Delegate Justin D.Ready

Tuesday, February 15

10 a.m. | Hear from Stevanne Ellis, Maryland's long-term care ombudswoman, about her office's vital work during the pandemic to aid seniors in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

5 p.m. | Montgomery County | Delegate Marc A. Korman

5:30 p.m. | Anne Arundel County | Senator Sarah K. Elfreth

6 p.m. | Frederick County | Delegate Kenneth P. Kerr

6:30 p.m. | Dorchester, Talbot, Wicomico Counties | Senator Adelaide C. Eckardt and Delegate Jay A. Jacobs

Wednesday, February 16

10 a.m. | Discuss the Maryland State Plan on Aging with Deputy Secretary Bernice Hutchinson, and hear our state's plan for our seniors over the next five years.

5 p.m. | Baltimore City County | Senator Cory V. McCray

5:30 p.m. | Charles County | Senator Arthur C. Ellis and Delegate Edith J. Patterson

6 p.m. | Baltimore County | Delegate Patrick G. Young

Thursday, February 17

10 a.m. | Quincy Samus, chair of Maryland's Virginia I. Jones Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Council, will present on the Council's new Alzheimer's State Plan.

5 p.m. | Kent/Caroline/Cecil/Queen Anne's Counties | Delegate Jay A. Jacobs

5:30 p.m. | Calvert County | Delegate Mark N. Fisher

6 p.m. | Garrett County | Delegate Wendell R. Beitzel

To register for Maryland Advocacy Week, visit https://p2a.co/danAHUQ .

About the Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association leads the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia--by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia. Visit alz.org or call the 24/7 Helpline, 800.272.3900.

The Greater Maryland Chapter serves Baltimore City and the following counties: Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Dorchester, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard, Kent, Queen Anne's, Somerset, Talbot, Washington, Wicomico and Worcester.