Ms. Oatman is very excited to have this opportunity to work with our State on developing our State Plan for Alzheimer’s. This is recognition of what Berks Encore does for our community, and the validity we have at the state level.
Harrisburg, PA – On behalf of Governor Tom Wolf, the Pennsylvania Department of Aging announced the formation of Pennsylvania’s Alzheimer’s State Plan Task Force. The task force was created to take a lead role in implementing and championing the goals and recommendations of Pennsylvania’s State Plan for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders.
“Over 400,000 Pennsylvanians are living with Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder and the toll of this disease extends beyond those affected to their families, friends, and communities,” said Governor Wolf. “I look forward to seeing the positive impact that this task force will have on Pennsylvania’s fight against Alzheimer’s.”
Objectives of the task force include:
Working with local organizations, entities, advocates, and other stakeholders to identify and share best practices that support the goals and the overall success of the planLeading efforts to review and revise the state plan, as necessaryDeveloping and facilitating the actions needed to carry out the planPursuing research and reviewing any other issues that are relevant to Alzheimer’s disease and related disordersAssisting in planning the annual Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders ForumAssisting in the development of an annual update to the plan
“The Wolf Administration is committed to embracing and supporting Pennsylvanians who are touched by Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder,” said Secretary of Aging Teresa Osborne. “We are confident that the task force will help us ensure that home and community-based services and supports are available, accessible, and responsive to the needs of both caregivers and those living with dementia.”
Since the plan was developed, the department has held three statewide forums and seven regional roundtable discussions to engage with stakeholders and inspire action at the local level.
Task force members include:
Robert (Bob) Marino, co-chair – Board Member, Alzheimer’s Association Delaware Valley Chapter, Member, Pennsylvania Long Term Care CouncilDennis (Mickey) Flynn, co-chair – Member, Pennsylvania Council on AgingKathy Cubit – Director of Advocacy, CARIEClayton Jacobs – Vice President of Programs and Services, Alzheimer’s Association Greater PA ChapterVincenza (Jen) Martchek – Board Member, Southwestern Pennsylvania Partnership for AgingMelissa Bottorf – President, River Valley Senior Providers GroupLuAnn Oatman – President and CEO, Berks EncoreCindy Odell – Volunteer/Advocate, Association for Frontotemporal DegenerationJeffrey Rose – Local Recovery Coordinator, Erie VAMC Behavioral Health ClinicLiz Bradbury – Director of the Training Institute, Bradbury Sullivan LGBT Community CenterJames F. Butt – Volunteer/Advocate, Alzheimer’s AssociationKathleen Gillespie – Director, Clearfield County Area Agency on AgingStacie Bonenberger – Senior Quality Improvement Specialist, Jewish Healthcare FoundationLinda Zaneski – Associate Chief of Nursing, Geriatrics Wilkes-Barre VAJennifer Holcomb – Director of Memory Support, Cross Keys Village
For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, visit aging.pa.gov.
