Tharinger seeks public feedback for Alzheimer’s Disease Working Group

Published 11:00 pm Tuesday, December 23, 2014

The Alzheimer’s Disease Working Group seeks public feedback and advice on how to improve the lives of people with dementia-related diseases.

The group invites the public to complete a brief online survey at http://tinyurl.com/WAStateAlzheimersPlan. Results will help craft a state plan to address Alzheimer’s disease.

The working group encourages people impacted by memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, including older adults; friends and family members; family caregivers or care partners; paid or volunteer social service, health or long-term care workers; and advocates to participate in the survey.

Learn more about the Alzheimer’s Disease Working Group at www.altsa.dshs.wa.gov/stakeholders/AD/.

State Rep. Steve Tharinger (D-Dungeness) released the following statement requesting public feedback on Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related diseases.

“In 2013, Washington state had the highest mortality rate for Alzheimer’s disease in the United States and that rate is continuing to climb throughout the country,” State Rep. Steve Tharinger (D-Dungeness) said in a statement requesting public feedback on Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related diseases.

“This past year, Gov. Inslee and the Legislature passed SB 6124, which authorized the development of an Alzheimer’s Disease Plan for Washington,” he said.

“For the past year I have worked with the Alzheimer’s Diseases Working Group which directed staff to create a survey to help the state determine what we can do to assist those diagnosed with these diseases. We need the public’s input by the end of December in order to have the best recommendations possible.”

The workgroup is part of the Department of Social and Health Services’ system of long-term services and support programs designed to help people who are vulnerable stay in their local communities, with family members and in their own homes.

DSHS is nationally recognized for its innovative, long-term care programs and is ranked as second in the nation by AARP in long-term supports for older adults, people with disabilities and family caregivers.