A permanent commission in New Jersey will be dedicated to evaluating current systems and making recommendations to improve care for people living with dementia and their caregivers.
SB 1033 / A2682, signed into law this week by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D), establishes the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Long-Term Advisory Commission within the Department of Human Services. The commission will evaluate the state’s dementia care system, identify strategies to address deficiencies and make recommendations on appropriate services for people living with dementia.
In New Jersey, the number of individuals living with Alzheimer’s is expected to increase to 210,000 by 2025, when total Medicaid payments for older adults living with Alzheimer’s in the state are expected to amount to $2.6 billion.
Although the state previously attempted to identify and address issues associated with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias through two different study commissions, each was temporary and dissolved after submitting their final reports.
In light of the severe ongoing and worsening effects of Alzheimer’s disease, as well as the lack of a professional workforce to address the growing population of people with the disease, the state formed this permanent commission to create a “concerted, proactive and ongoing effort to study and develop innovative solutions to address and mitigate the effects of this disease” both now and in the future.
The 12-member commission will include medical professionals, caregivers, representatives from government and from facilities offering memory care services, and other stakeholders.
Workforce protections also adopted
New Jersey also recently adopted a Health Care Heroes Violence Prevention Act, criminalizing threats and assaults against healthcare workers and volunteers.
Under A 3199, a person who makes threats against healthcare workers or volunteers is guilty of a disorderly persons offense, punishable by up to six months in prison and / or a fine of up to $1,000. Those convicted would also have to attend an anger management course and complete 30 hours of community service.
“If there’s one thing the COVID-19 pandemic made abundantly clear, it is the essential role healthcare workers play in our society,” Murphy said when signing the law. “This law will provide greater protections for healthcare workers in our state to help deter both physical and verbal acts of violence against these professionals.”
