“That is huge:” $2.5M grant expands Alzheimer’s/Dementia care in Maryland
MARYLAND “Maryland is projected to have the highest prevalence on Alzheimer’s amongst all 50 states,” Alzheimer’s Association Greater Maryland Chapter Program Director Ilene Rosenthal said.
Upwards of 110,000 Marylanders 65 and over were living with Alzheimer’s disease in 2020, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. That number is projected to increase 18% by 2025.
$2.5 million in grant funding from the CDC will help the Maryland Department of Health get ahead of that. Rosenthal told 47ABC it’s crucial timing as the state is on the verge a health crisis. “Cardiovascular disease and even diabetes is all connected to Dementia. It’s also not rocket science, anything that constricts the flow of oxygen to the brain can put somebody at future risk for cognitive decline,” Rosenthal said.
“I know we look at the data and it starts at like 65, but there’s also a thing of early onset Dementia. That can happen in someone’s 40’s or even their 50’s,” Sample-Hughes said.
MDH will collaborate with the Virginia I. Jones Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Council on best practices and help support the state’s ADRD plan to tackle the five goals below.
Goal 1: Expand efforts to support public awareness, prevention, and early detection of ADRD;
Goal 2: Enhance quality, access, and coordination of ADRD care;
Goal 3: Enhance and expand supports for family caregivers;
Goal 4: Advance ADRD research and encourage evidence-based practices
Goal 5: Enhance data capabilities related to dementia and dementia impact and effects of interventions.
The council is made up of lawmakers, physicians, social services agencies, and more.
Maryland Delegate Sheree Sample-Hughes is on the council and said they were instrumental in passing key legislation that requires home care providers have training in dementia. “That is huge! If you’re expecting for someone to come into your home to take care of your loved one, you can have the reassurance that they have had training,” Sample-Hughes said.
Sample-Hughes added that the money will also help the state be more prepared to care for those individuals. “Often times people call it the Eastern Shore the graying shore,” she said. “Yet, question is are we prepared? Are we prepared for not only the day-to-day medical necessities but also those necessities that we can’t see?”
Rosenthal added that new treatment options have proven to be promising with delaying the onset of symptoms. They’re now pushing for more research and testing which Rosenthal said will require money and participants. “I know in the past there’s been a lot of horrible things that happened, especially in communities of color that scare people away from clinical trials but there have been many new protections built into the clinical trials so that those things that happened years ago cannot repeat themselves,” Rosenthal said.
Rosenthal said that $3.7 billion from the government is will also support advancements in research from the National Institutes of Health budget.
The Alzheimer’s Association said without early detection, especially in communities of color, a whole new type of health disparities could be created.
Maryland is one of 43 other recipients receiving funding through the federal Building Our Largest Dementia Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act.
The grant funding is expected to cover a five-year period.
