Alzheimer's Association Recognizes Massachusetts as First State in Nation to ... - The Herald

BOSTON —

The Alzheimer’s Association announced that Massachusetts is the first state in the nation to join with the Alzheimer’s Early Detection Alliance (AEDA), an Alzheimer's Association program that provides information and resources to employees of organization. All state employees will be able to access information about warning signs of Alzheimer's as well as resources to cope with living with the disease or caring for someone affected.

“Governor Patrick has shown incredible leadership and insight into the needs of the people of Massachusetts,” said James Wessler, president/CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association, MA/NH Chapter ^[1] . “By joining AEDA, he is bringing tremendous resources to the 30,000 state employees.”

AEDA was created to help businesses better support employees faced with Alzheimer’s disease. More than 5 million in the U.S. have the disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Nearly 16 million are family caregivers for someone affected.

Massachusetts is the first state to register for the program, and the 100^th business in Massachusetts to join the AEDA on behalf of employees. Through this partnership Commonwealth employees will have easy access to substantial resources, online and through educational programs, from the Alzheimer’s Association, Massachusetts/New Hampshire Chapter ^[2] .

“Alzheimer’s is a disease that affects entire families. By providing assistance to state employees, the Governor is really reaching out to their many family members as well,” said Wessler. “We are pleased that Massachusetts is the first state in the nation to take this important step.”

In 2010, Governor Patrick convened the Alzheimer’s disease and Related Disorders (ADRD) State Plan Task Force, headed by Ann L. Hartstein, Secretary of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs, and Wessler representing the Alzheimer’s Association, MA/NH Chapter. The AEDA partnership is a result of efforts by the Administration to implement recommendations to increase awareness within the ADRD State Plan.

A ceremony, led by Executive Office of Elder Affairs Secretary Hartstein, was held in the State House today to celebrate the AEDA event. Hartstein was joined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, John Polanowicz, Office of Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Joanne Goldstein, and Senate Chair of the Committee on Elder Affairs Patricia Jehlen, among others.

Links to the information will be on the Commonwealth’s Human Resources website as well as on the homepage of the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs. For more information, visit: www.mass.gov/hrd ^[3] .

The Alzheimer’s Association is the nation’s leading non-profit funder of Alzheimer’s research and provider of education and support via a 24/7 Helpline, support groups and programs. Information is available at alz.org/MANH ^[4] .