By Bob Katzen
House 155-0, approved and sent to the Senate legislation that supporters say would strengthen dementia care, improve support for families and caregivers, expand workforce training and enhance public health efforts to address Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. They noted the bill takes a comprehensive approach to improving care for individuals living with dementia while equipping health care providers, first responders, hospitals and state agencies with the tools and resources needed to better serve patients.
The legislation establishes mandatory dementia training programs for municipal and state law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency medical services personnel including a minimum of two hours of initial instruction followed by biennial continuing education; expands notification requirements so that families or legal representatives are informed of an initial diagnosis of any dementia; enhances protections for patients and families by requiring acute care hospitals to allow medically appropriate visitation for patients living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, as well as those exhibiting symptoms of cognitive impairment; expands the state’s Health Care Workforce Loan Repayment Program to provide loan repayment assistance for professionals specializing in geriatrics and geriatric psychiatry, in order to help recruit and retain clinicians with expertise in caring for older adults; and requires the Department of Public Health to expand public awareness efforts on brain health and dementia through culturally relevant education campaigns.
“Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are devastating illnesses that profoundly affect not only those diagnosed, but also the families and caregivers faced with the challenges of caring for their loved one,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). “This legislation is about ensuring that the commonwealth is doing all that it can to care for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias by strengthening training, by improving coordination across the health care system and by investing in a workforce that is better prepared to provide the care that diagnosed individuals need.”
“While the commonwealth is a global pioneer in advancing Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementia treatment and prevention, we can’t rest on our laurels,” said Rep. Tom Stanley (D-Waltham), House Chair of the Committee on Aging and Independence. “The prevalence of Alzheimer’s and related dementia is expected to increase substantially over the next decade and at the same time we are experiencing workforce challenges and a shrinking pool of family caregivers.”
“With passage of this legislation, we demonstrate our continued commitment to Massachusetts residents living with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia, as well as to their caregivers and healthcare providers,” said Rep. Danielle Gregoire (D-Marlborough) the sponsor of an earlier version of the measure. “This work began eight years ago with the passage of landmark Alzheimer’s legislation that made Massachusetts a national leader. Despite that work, dementia diagnoses are becoming more frequent, and patients and their caregivers need more help. As scientific advances continue to improve treatment options and make headway on a cure, so too must we in government adapt and implement policy such as the one we voted on today that will change lives for the better.”
(A “Yes” vote is for the bill.)
Rep. Christine Barber Yes Rep. Mike Connolly Yes Rep. Paul Donato Yes Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven Yes