Rep. Lewis Votes to Support Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care

(Framingham) Representative Jack Patrick Lewis and his colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed legislation this week to 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 across the Commonwealth. 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.

"We all know someone that has been impacted by Alzheimer's disease or dementia. These illnesses are devastating, our health care system can be equipped with the tools it needs to provide treatment if we invest in it," expressed Rep. Lewis (Framingham). "By ensuring that our state's first responders are trained in dementia-related incidents, promoting coordination between caretakers and patients, and establishing a new government position focused solely on this issue, we are taking a strong step towards better care and better quality of life."

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The legislation establishes mandatory dementia training programs for municipal and state law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services personnel. Developed by the Municipal Police Training Committee, the Massachusetts Fire Training Council, the Department of Public Health (DPH), the Colonel of the State Police, and the Executive Office of Aging and Independence in consultation with Alzheimer's organizations and other stakeholders, the training will require at least two hours of initial instruction followed by biennial continuing education.

"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. 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," noted House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (Quincy). "I want to thank Leader Gregorie and Chair Stanley for their work on this legislation, as well as all my colleagues in the House for supporting these important reforms."

The bill expands notification requirements so that families or legal representatives are informed of an initial diagnosis of any dementia—not solely Alzheimer's disease—and establishes a new MassHealth dementia care coordination benefit for eligible members enrolled in Senior Care Options and One Care plans, providing support for both individuals living with dementia and their caregivers.

The legislation also 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. Hospitals will also be required to notify designated family members, caregivers, or legal representatives promptly following admission and before discharge, ensuring loved ones remain engaged in care planning.

To improve care in hospital settings, the legislation codifies requirements that hospitals maintain and implement dementia operational plans addressing staff training, patient recognition and management, dementia-friendly environments, caregiver communication, discharge planning, and care coordination. Hospitals will be required to update these plans every five years, submit them to DPH, and make them publicly available. To strengthen the health care workforce, the legislation expands the state's Health Care Workforce Loan Repayment Program to provide loan repayment assistance for

professionals specializing in geriatrics and geriatric psychiatry, helping recruit and retain clinicians with expertise in caring for older adults.

The bill also creates a Director of Dementia Care and Coordination within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services to oversee implementation of the state's Alzheimer's disease plan, coordinate public awareness initiatives, support hospital dementia preparedness, pursue grant opportunities, review training requirements, and improve statewide data collection related to Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

In addition, the bill directs DPH to expand public awareness efforts on brain health and dementia through culturally relevant education campaigns, strengthen statewide data collection on cognitive decline and caregiving, and regularly report on implementation of the CDC's Healthy Brain Initiative Road Map.

The bill passed the House of Representatives 155-0 and now goes to the Senate for consideration.

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