About Us

Alzheimer’s, Dementia and Related Disorders Office

In October 2024, Governor Josh Shapiro signed Senate 840, now Act 111 of 2024, which created the first Alzheimer’s, Dementia and Related Disorders (ADRD) Office in the Commonwealth’s history.  The Pennsylvania Department of Aging provides oversight for this Office.

About the Alzheimer’s, Dementia and Related Disorders Office

The ADRD Office will play a vital role in leading Pennsylvania’s statewide response to Alzheimer's dementia and related disorders. The Office will oversee the implementation and subsequent updates of the Pennsylvania State Plan, provide strategic direction and support to the Advisory Committee, and collaborate with other state and local agencies and community organizations to improve services and resources for individuals and families affected by ADRD.

ADRD Advisory Committee

The Advisory Committee was created under Act 111 of 2024. The Committee’s goals are to support and advise on statewide efforts to reduce the burden of ADRD through risk reduction strategies, promotion of early detection and diagnosis, support for caregivers and families, and strengthening community-clinical linages.

Attend a Meeting

The Alzheimer’s, Dementia and Related Disorders Advisory Committee meetings will begin at 8:00 a.m.  They will be held on Microsoft Teams unless otherwise specified.

Please contact the ADRD Office at 717- 783-1550 or via email at ADRDoffice@pa.gov for the following:

  • Request a link to the virtual meetings
  • Request accommodations as provided for in the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
  • Make inquiries about the Office of Alzheimer’s, Dementia and Related Disorders Advisory Committee business

Jason Kavulich, Secretary of Aging

Dr. Debra Bogen, Secretary of Health

Dr. Val Arkoosh, Secretary of Human Services

Nancy Walker, Secretary of Labor & Industry

Senator Wayne Langerholc Jr.
Senate Aging & Youth Committee Republican Chairperson

Senator Maria Collett
Senate Aging & Youth Committee Democratic Chairperson

Representative Maureen Madden
House Aging & Older Adult Services Committee Democratic Chairperson

Representative Steven Mentzer
House Aging & Older Adult Services Committee Republican Chairperson

Melanie Titzel, Ph.D., Engagement Officer
LECOM Institute for Successful Aging

Pennsylvania Council on Aging member; Erie County

Tom Snedden, Director of PACE
PA Department of Aging

Bureau Director representing the Pharmaceutical Assistance Contract for the Elderly Program (PACE)

Victoria Bayle
Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Pennsylvania board member/living with Alzheimer’s, Erie County

An individual living with Alzheimer’s Dementia or a related disorder or a designee

Amanda Neatrour, Owner
Lewis Neatrour Group Allegheny County

A family member of or a caregiver for a person living with Alzheimer’s, Dementia or a related disorder

Julieanne Steinbacher, Esq., CELA
Steinbacher, Goodall & Yurchak; Lycoming County

An attorney with at least five years of experience in providing legal representation to older adults with cognitive diseases and related disorder

Julia Wood, MOT, OTR/L, Director of Professional & Community Education
Lewy Body Dementia Association; Montgomery County

Three individuals from non-governmental statewide organizations that advocate for older adults

Matthew Sharp, MSS, Advocacy Manager
The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration; Philadelphia

Three individuals from non-governmental statewide organizations that advocate for older adults

Anneliese Perry, MS, NHA, CECM, Program Manager/State Coordinator
Jewish Healthcare Foundation/Dementia Friendly Pennsylvania; Allegheny County

Three individuals from non-governmental statewide organizations that advocate for older adults

Krishnankutty (Krish) Sathian, MBBS, Ph.D., Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurology
Penn State Health; Dauphin County

A physician with at least five years of experience in diagnosing and treating Alzheimer's, Dementia and related disorders

David Wolk, MD, Professor of Neurology
University of Pennsylvania; Philadelphia

Two individuals who conduct research regarding Alzheimer's, Dementia and related disorders

Oscar Lopez, MD, Professor of Neurology
University of Pittsburgh; Allegheny County

Two individuals who conduct research regarding Alzheimer's, Dementia and related disorders

 Jennifer Haeussler-Barnhart, Administrator
Montgomery County Office of Aging Services (Area Agency on Aging)

An individual representing the local Area Agencies on Aging

Jennifer Jordan, Vice President, Equity and Behavioral Health
The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania

An individual representing the Commonwealth's hospitals and health systems

Megan Barbour, Director, Advocacy and Government Affairs
PA Health Care Association

An individual representing the facilities in the Commonwealth that provide long-term care to individuals

Katie Noss, BSN, RN, Director of Clinical Operations
Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers

An individual representing the Commonwealth's community health centers in rural and urban communities

Helen Schmid, MBA
Telespond Senior Services, Inc.; Lackawanna County

An individual representing older adult day living centers

Daniel Drake, CEO & President
Trinity Health Care; Chester County

An individual representing the LIFE providers

Jignesh Sheth MD, MPH, FACP, Senior Vice President/Chief Operations and Strategy Officer
The Wright Center for Community Health; Lackawanna County

An individual representing a federally qualified health center

Todd Goldberg, MD, Chief of Geriatrics
Jefferson-Abington Hospital; Montgomery County

An individual representing the Pennsylvania Society for post-acute and long-term care medicine

Michael Galvan, Director of State Affairs
Alzheimer's Association of Greater Pennsylvania

An individual representing a statewide association dedicated to Alzheimer's care, support and research

Upcoming Meetings

Advisory Committee meetings will be held quarterly. Tentative dates:

 August 2025

November 2025

February 2026

May 2026

 August 2026

Additional Resources

The Department of Aging’s ADRD efforts in Pennsylvania has evolved steadily, reflecting the growing public health impact of dementia.

  • 2014: Pennsylvania published its first State Plan for ADRD in response to the federal National Alzheimer’s Project Act. This plan outlined key goals to improve awareness, access to care, workforce training, and support for caregivers.
  • 2018: I the Pennsylvania Department of Aging announced the formation of an Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Task Force. The Task Force was created to assist the Department with advancing State Plan objectives within its scope.

Virtual Forum

Each year the Pennsylvania Department of Aging holds a virtual forum in November. 

Recordings:

  • Caregiver Support Program – The program aims to alleviate the stresses associated with caregiving by focusing on the well-being of the caregiver. The Caregiver Support Program provides access to respite care, addresses the need for formal and informal supports, and provides financial reimbursement for out-of-pocket costs associated with caregiving-related services and supplies.

  • PA CareKit – A collection of tools, information, and support to help caregivers learn more, plan ahead, or catch your breath. 

To best prepare frontline workers for detecting, assisting and supporting Pennsylvanians with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, the Department of Health updates resources on an annual basis to provide information in one place in accordance with Act 9.

Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders - Provider Resources | Department of Health | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania