Town hall meeting June 26 in Selbyville will solicit input on state plan to address Alzheimer's disease
Town hall meetings are scheduled in each of Delaware's counties June 24-26 to solicit community input on a preliminary Delaware state plan for meeting the needs of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and supporting their families.
The Sussex County meeting will take place at 6 p.m., Wednesday, June 26, at Brandywine Assisted Living, 21111 Arrington Drive, Selbyville.
A task force co-chaired by the Delaware Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities and the Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter is seeking public input on Delaware’s comprehensive state plan. The town hall meetings will offer people in the early stage of Alzheimer’s, caregivers, healthcare professionals and other community members the chance to learn more about Delaware’s plan, as well as provide views, comments, perspectives and input on the plan.
The plan is available for review at www.dhss.delaware.gov/dsaapd/index.htm. Community comments will be reviewed by the task force at its July 24 meeting at which time the plan will be finalized and posted.
“With Delaware’s fast-growing aging population, it is extremely important that caregivers and others directly impacted by Alzheimer’s disease have opportunities such as these town hall meetings to share their stories, concerns and valuable experiences as part of our efforts to more effectively address their needs,” Gov. Jack Markell said.
“The Alzheimer’s epidemic is here and growing. Alzheimer’s disease, an incurable, degenerative brain disease, is quickly becoming the public health crisis of the 21st century,” said Katie E. Macklin, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter. “Now is the time for Alzheimer’s to be a priority, and it is imperative that the entire Delaware community come together in the fight against this disease. It’s an opportunity to be a part of shaping the future of Alzheimer’s care and support in our state.”
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. Its mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research, to provide and enhance care and support for all affected and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.
To find aging and disability services in Delaware, contact the Delaware Aging and Disability Resource Center at 800-223-9074 weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Staff members can provide personalized assistance to help families find and use community services. The resource center’s website, www.delawareadrc.com, helps people to search by county for health services, adult day care, assisted living, caregiver support services, financial assistance, physical therapy and transportation. A free comprehensive resource, Guide to Services for Older Delawareans and Persons with Disabilities, is offered through the website or by calling the center.
