Call our 24 hours, seven days a week helpline at 800.272.3900

24/7 Helpline 800.272.3900
Donate
Delaware Valley
Change Location

Health care leaders and Alzheimer's Association officials celebrate passage of state law

Health care leaders and Alzheimer's Association officials celebrate passage of state law
Share or Print this page
Share or Print this page
February 18, 2022
Email:
Share or Print this page
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 18, 2022
 

Lewis DelRosso, Others Announce Passage of Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Law

 
OAKMONT, ALLEGHENY COUNTY – Rep. Carrie Lewis DelRosso (R- Allegheny/Westmoreland) joined forces with the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Pennsylvania Chapter and the Presbyterian SeniorCare Network to host a press conference announcing the passage of House Bill 1082, now known as Act 9 of 2022.
 
The bill was signed into law on Wednesday, Feb. 9, after the House and Senate both gave unanimous approval, and Gov. Tom Wolf provided his signature. The Early Detection and Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or a Related Disorder Act, sheds more light on cognitive diseases and creates a structure to unite patients and health care providers around cognitive concerns that will lead to an earlier diagnosis of the disease.
 
Several organizations provided celebratory remarks during the press conference:
 
“I can’t thank everyone enough who had a hand in getting this legislation across the finish line enough,” said Lewis DelRosso. “This was the first bill I’ve authored that was signed into law and is something that will benefit everyone across the Commonwealth. We all know someone who is affected by either Alzheimer’s, Dementia or another cognitive disorder, and I am excited that my first bill will have an impact on so many.”
 
“Alzheimer's disease is a true public health crisis that extracts incredible costs financially, emotionally and personally for millions of Pennsylvanians,” said Clayton Jacobs, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Pennsylvania Chapter. “This legislation helps improve the complicated and often difficult process to receive an accurate diagnosis by both empowering families and supporting a primary care workforce which has faced incredible challenges these past few years. We are thankful for Rep. Lewis DelRosso's leadership and for the opportunity to work with the administration and Pennsylvania's health care systems on implementing these changes to benefit all Pennsylvanians.”
 
“We are honored to host today’s event because Presbyterian SeniorCare Network has a rich history of innovation in dementia care going back the last 30 years,” said Jim Pieffer, president and CEO. “On our campus here in Oakmont is Woodside Place, which was built in 1991. Woodside Place was the first care community of its kind to specialize in meeting the physical, mental and social needs of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. And we recently created the Dementia360 program, which is one of the country’s first in-home care coordination programs designed specifically for family caregivers and individuals living with dementia.”
 
“UPMC Senior Services is fully supportive of this legislation,” said April Kane, project director. “We encourage the Department of Health to utilize experts from our health system and others across the state to collaborate with the Alzheimer’s Association to build a toolkit that can be the gold standard for early detection, diagnosis and care planning to support primary care physicians and advanced practice providers in the community.”
 
“This legislation helps strengthens the capabilities of our primary care work force – the physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants who are at the front line of medical care,” said David Nace, chief of Medical Affairs of UPMC Senior Communities, and clinical chief of Geriatric Medicine at University of Pittsburgh. “By providing education, disseminating tools and linking to resources, we will increase the ability to detect and assist those impacted by this disease. We will improve not only the quality of care provided, but ensure greater access to care.”
 
“This is such an important health issue for the patient population we serve at Allegheny Health Network, and for all of Pennsylvania,” said Dr. Vicenta Gaspar-Yoo, president of Allegheny Health Network Allegheny Valley Hospital. “The toolkits created by this early-detection law will help us to more proactively diagnose patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive disorders, and ultimately that will lead to earlier intervention, better care management and more positive outcomes for patients and families.”
 
Act 9 of 2022 will take effect early April. To watch the press conference in its entirety, visit www.RepCarrieLewisDeRosso.com/Video.
 

Alzheimer's Association

The Alzheimer's Association leads the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia.™ For more information, visit www.alz.org or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.

Keep Up With Alzheimer’s News and Events

The first survivor of Alzheimer's is out there, but we won't get there without you.

Donate Now

Learn how Alzheimer’s disease affects the brain.

Take the Brain Tour

Don't just hope for a cure. Help us find one. Volunteer for a
clinical trial.

Learn More