The Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Commission (ADRDC) is an advisory board established by § 51.5-154 of the Code of Virginia. Its purpose is to assist people living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and their caregivers. The Commission supports the Dementia Capable Virginia initiative to provide high quality resources and information about dementia and related services to Virginians.
Vision
ADRDC and its partners envision a dementia-capable Virginia that provides ethical, person-centered, evidence-based, and high-quality care across the continuum of the disease through a coordinated system that meets the needs of individuals of any age living with dementia and their caregivers. Through raising understanding of the importance of addressing brain health and the modifiable risk factors for dementia, the ADRDC strives to reduce the future burden of dementia in the Commonwealth.
Purpose
and Duties
The ADRDC is charged with:
- Examining the needs of persons with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, as well as the needs of their caregivers, and ways that state government can most effectively and efficiently assist in meeting those needs
- Developing and promoting strategies to encourage brain health and reduce cognitive decline
- Advising the Governor and General Assembly on policy, funding, regulatory, and other issues related to Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders
- Developing the Commonwealth’s plan for meeting the needs of patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders and their caregivers, and advocating for such plan
- Establishing priorities for programs among state agencies related to Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders and criteria to evaluate these programs
- Submitting to the Governor, General Assembly, and DARS by October 1 each year an electronic report [Annual Reports] regarding the activities and recommendations of the Commission
- View Past Events above for recent prior meetings along with accompanying agendas and minutes. You can also find agendas and minutes from past meetings on our Sharepoint website.
Membership
- Lana Sargent, Chair
- Michael Watson, Vice-Chair
- Leslie Bowie
- Bonnie Bradshaw
- Annette Clark (DBHDS)
- Rachel Coney-Bowles (VDH)
- Bea González
- Lissa Greenlee
- Stephanie LaPrade
- Laura Marshall
- Jason Rachel (DMAS)
- Tara Ragland (DSS)
- Margie Shaver
- Jennie Slade
- James Stovall
- Jamie Towey
- Kiersten Ware (DARS)
- Ishan Williams
- Zachary Wood
- Faika Zanjani
State Plan
Virginia’s Dementia State Plan 2024-2027 is the Commonwealth’s blueprint for a fully dementia capable Virginia, where the needs of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders and their caregivers are met. The Plan is updated every four years to incorporate new knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, brain health and dementia risk factors, treatments, supportive services and research.
Reports
You can also find prior annual reports on our Sharepoint website.
Board Documents
Committees
The Legislative Committee develops policy proposals and recommendations for the Commission to consider and adopt. These become part of the Annual Report to the Governor and General Assembly. Bea González serves as chair. View Past Events above for recent prior meetings along with accompanying agendas and minutes. You can also find agendas and minutes from past meetings on our Sharepoint website.
The Dementia State Plan Committee is tasked with developing the Dementia State Plan every four years, and with monitoring its implementation. Margie Shaver chairs the Committee. View Past Events above for recent prior meetings along with accompanying agendas and minutes. You can also find agendas and minutes from past meetings on our Sharepoint website.
The Brain Health Workgroup is responsible for working on strategies under Goal 6 (Brain Health and Dementia Risk Reduction) of the Dementia State Plan and is chaired by Michael Watson. The Workgroup meets on the 3rd Thursday of Jan/Apr/Jul/Oct at 12pm – 1:30pm. View Past Events above for recent prior meetings along with accompanying agendas and minutes. You can also find agendas and minutes from past meetings on our Sharepoint website.
The Coordinated Care Workgroup focuses on Goal 1 (coordination of state-level efforts) and Goal 4 (care coordination for dementia) of the Dementia State Plan. The Workgroup is chaired by Ishan Williams. The Workgroup meets on the 1st Monday of Feb/May/Aug/Nov at 2pm – 3:30pm. View Past Events above for recent prior meetings along with accompanying agendas and minutes. You can also find agendas and minutes from past meetings on our Sharepoint website.
Lana Sargent chairs the Data and Research Workgroup, which drives the implementation of Goal 2 (Data) and Goal 5 (Research) of the Dementia State Plan. The Workgroup meets on the 1st Tuesday of Feb/May/Aug/Nov at 2pm – 3:30pm. View Past Events above for recent prior meetings along with accompanying agendas and minutes. You can also find agendas and minutes from past meetings on our Sharepoint website.
The Training Workgroup focuses on Goal 3 of the Dementia State Plan, which is concerned with training unpaid and paid caregivers, first responders and others who interact with people living with dementia. The Workgroup, chaired by Jennie Slade, meets on the 3rd Wednesday of Feb/May/Aug/Nov at 3pm – 4:30pm. View Past Events above for recent prior meetings along with accompanying agendas and minutes. You can also find agendas and minutes from past meetings on our Sharepoint website.
The Nominating Committee convenes every odd year to develop a slate of officers for the Commission to consider. The Committee will be formed next in March 2027, and will meet ahead of the subsequent Commission meeting in June 2027. View Past Events above for recent prior meetings along with accompanying agendas and minutes. You can also find agendas and minutes from past meetings on our Sharepoint website.