Several states are moving forward with laws and initiatives to support people with dementia and their caregivers.
In Delaware, state lawmakers have adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 205, which requires the state Division of Public Health to develop a strategic plan for how it would implement a comprehensive public health outreach campaign about Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. The plan, which is due to lawmakers on Nov. 1, must consider how to target underserved communities and educate healthcare providers.
In New Mexico, state lawmakers approved a budget bill, HB 2, which included a new dementia-specific position within the state Aging and Long-Term Services Department. The newly established position will support efforts to implement New Mexico’s Alzheimer’s plan and new initiatives meant to benefit people living with dementia as well as their families.
HB 2 increased the state Aging and Long-Term Services Department general fund revenue by $5.5 million (8.5%), with $4 million dedicated to aging network provider rates and $400,000 for ombudsman reform.
And two additional states have taken action to increase support for first responders who interact with people living with dementia.
In Hawaii, passage of SB 3139 creates a new category of law enforcement officers known as crisis intervention officers. Those officers will be trained and certified to identify and communicate with people living with dementia and others in crisis. The new law further establishes a crisis intervention and diversion services program within the Department of Health to help individuals in crisis receive the care they need instead of being immediately assigned to the criminal justice system.
And in Wyoming, the Department of Family Services updated its training requirements for adult protective services workers to include new training on identifying and interacting with people living with dementia.
