LEWISTON – A public input session to provide feedback and further inform the draft of the first-ever Maine State Plan on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 8, at St. Mary’s D’Youville Pavilion, 102 Campus Ave.

The development of Maine’s state plan was initiated as a result of a state task force that was convened by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services as a result of the enactment of LD 859, sponsored by State Sen. Margaret Craven of Lewiston, which was signed into law by Gov. LePage in June of 2011. The draft plan is available at www.alz.org/maine.

A comprehensive state strategy to address the needs of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease will provide a mechanism to consider all of these issues collectively, according to Laurie Trenholm, executive director of Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter.

The public health crisis of Alzheimer’s disease will then be able to be better addressed with a thoughtful, integrated and cost-effective approach that is easier for individuals and families to navigate.

Comments may also be emailed to the Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter at jill.conover@alz.org.