Enacted bill shows that dementia resources are ‘high priority,’ industry advocate says

A long-term care provider advocate in South Carolina says that recently passed legislation “makes it clear that improving resources and access to care for those with Alzheimer’s disease is a high priority” for state residents.

House Bill 5100 has been enacted, appropriating more than $1.1 million to the South Carolina Department on Aging to create a dementia care specialist program.

“This legislation will increase community awareness and expand resources to support individuals living with dementia and their caregivers,” the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement, the advocacy arm of the Alzheimer’s Association, said in a weekly e-newsletter.

Kassie South, CEO of LeadingAge South Carolina, called the act “bold legislation to support people living with dementia and their caregivers.”

“As a member of the Alzheimer’s Resource Coordination Center Advisory Council, I can attest to the hard work being done to help those affected by Alzheimer’s and other related dementias,” she told McKnight’s Senior Living. “Resources for robust education opportunities, training for first responders and developing innovative programs through grants are just a few pieces of the comprehensive state plan to help our state be able to care for people with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers.

“The entire healthcare continuum — including primary care physicians’ offices, hospital systems, respite care programs, assisted living and nursing homes — are partnering together to be able to serve those with Alzheimer’s disease in South Carolina in the best way possible,” she continued. “This legislation makes it clear that improving resources and access to care for those with Alzheimer’s disease is a high priority for South Carolinians.”

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 112,500 people in South Carolina are living with Alzheimer’s, and 11.5% of people aged more than 65 years have the disease, which costs the Medicaid program $652 million in 2020.

Forty-six percent of assisted living residents in the state have diagnosed Alzhiemer’s disease or another type of dementia, according to government data.