The Virginia Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Commission serves as an advisory board within the executive branch and assists people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia as well as their caregivers and families. In 2009, the Commission began collecting public input to inform a state plan on Alzheimer’s. In December 2011, the Commission published the Dementia State Plan: Virginia’s Response to the Needs of Individuals with Dementia and their Caregivers. The Commission updated the Dementia State Plan again in 2015, 2019 and most recently in 2024 with the publication of The Virginia Dementia State Plan 2024-2027: Building a Dementia-Capable Virginia. In consultation with the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Behavioral Health and Disability Services, Department of Medical Assistance Services, Department of Social Services and Virginia Department of Health, the updated state plan encompasses updated goals for addressing Alzheimer’s and other dementia.

Expand the RAFT Dementia Services Program

Alzheimer’s often causes individuals to exhibit disruptive behaviors that sometimes prevent them from living in long-term care settings such as assisted living facilities and nursing homes. Launched in 2023, the Regional Older Adult Facilities Mental Health Support Team (RAFT) program supports people living with dementia who are being cared for in their homes. The goal of the RAFT program is to prevent expensive and often traumatic psychiatric hospitalizations, and provide education and strategies to improve outcomes for caregivers by increasing the safety and stability of home care situations. The Alzheimer’s Association is calling on state lawmakers to expand the RAFT dementia services program to underserved parts of the Commonwealth.