CHARLESTON W.Va. (WVDN) – Advocates from across West Virginia will be speaking to legislators on behalf of the 39,000 West Virginians living with Alzheimer’s disease at the 2025 Alzheimer’s Association State Advocacy Day on Wednesday, March 26 from 9 am to 3 pm at the State Capitol.
The Association will be advocating for the passage of House Bill 2575, relating to the establishment of a full-time Dementia Services Director position for the state.
Overview of the Bill: The Dementia Services Director will fill the needs of: overseeing implementation and updating of the State Plan on Alzheimer’s and other dementia, improving access to and quality of care, increasing awareness, and identifying and applying for grant and funding opportunities. The position will create a more efficient and effective approach to addressing dementia by fostering greater collaboration among state agencies and stakeholders. Twenty-nine other states, as well as the District of Columbia, have already created a similar position.
“Without this bill, we risk the soon-to-be-updated State Plan on Alzheimer’s and Other Dementia not being properly implemented,” according to Ely Osborne, public policy director for the Alzheimer’s Association in West Virginia. “This position will create a more efficient and effective approach to dementia by fostering greater collaboration among state agencies and stakeholders. This is a good bill for West Virginians with Alzheimer’s or dementia and their caregivers.”
There are nearly 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s dementia, including 38,100 in West Virginia. One in three seniors dies with the disease – more than breast and prostate cancer combined. West Virginia’s mortality rate of 47.7% from Alzheimer’s is significantly higher than the national mortality rate of 36%.
Those concerned about themselves or a loved one can contact the Alzheimer’s Association West Virginia Chapter at alz.org/wv or 304.343.2717 to schedule a care consultation and be connected to local resources. The Alzheimer’s Association’s Helpline can be reached 24/7 at 800.272.3900.
