2000 Legislative Platform

Please contact your state Senator and Delegate to ask for their support of the Alzheimer's Association 2000 Legislative Platform.

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Alzheimer's Association
2000 Virginia General Assembly
Legislative Platform

A Blueprint for the Commonwealth's Support of
Family and Professional Caregivers for
Virginians Living with Dementia

Contact:

Ian N. Kremer
Director, Public Policy
Alzheimer’s Association, Northern Virginia Chapter
telephone: (703) 359-4440
facsimile: (703) 359-4441
e-mail: [email protected]

Priority Issues

The Alzheimer's Association recommends that the Commonwealth enact legislation to improve the quality of care for Virginians with dementia in long-term care facilities, particularly by increasing the number of direct care staff and requiring that direct care staff complete an interactive dementia-specific training program. The Alzheimer's Association recommends that the Commonwealth increase access to dementia-suitable adult daycare, respite care and home care services. The Alzheimer's Association recommends that the Commonwealth adopt the recommendations of Governor Gilmore's Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Commission (A Blueprint for the Commonwealth's Response to Dementia, September 1, 1999) by appropriating funds for the purpose of: Strengthening Family Caregivers by eliminating the waiting list in the Respite Care Initiative's nine locations and extending the Initiative to six new locations statewide. Keeping Patients Safe by coordinating dementia specific training for all public safety personnel and matching federal and private funds for Virginians with dementia and their caregivers to have lifetime enrollment in the Safe Return Program. Strengthening Professional Caregivers by providing hands-on dementia-specific training for long-term care facility staff and state inspectors. Finding Solutions and Answers by doubling the Alzheimer's & Related Diseases Research Award Fund. Supporting Family Caregivers by fully funding the Virginia Caregivers Grant Fund. Delivering Dementia Information to Virginians by providing the Commission an administrative and operational budget.

Endorsements

The Alzheimer's Association recommends that the Commonwealth adopt the recommendations of the Virginia Coalition for the Aging as stated in its Public Policy Platform 2000-2002. The Alzheimer's Association recommends that the Commonwealth adopt the recommendations of the Northern Virginia Aging Network as stated in its 2000 State Legislative Platform. The Alzheimer's Association recommends that the Commonwealth adopt the recommendations of the AARP Virginia State Legislative Committee as stated in its 2000 Legislative Program.

Virginians Are Talking About Dementia and Caregiving

According to Governor Gilmore's Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Commission "One in ten families in the Commonwealth lives with Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder and one in three Virginians know somebody affected. About 100,000 Virginians have dementia; absent a cure, 350,000 Virginians will have dementia two generations from today." One in ten Virginians over age 65, and nearly one of two Virginians over age 85, has dementia (A Blueprint for the Commonwealth's Response to Dementia). "Dementia differs from most other causes of adult vulnerability by degenerating its victims' physical, psychological and intellectual well-being progressively, irreversibly and fatally. People with dementia become more vulnerable in every way as the disease literally erodes the brain's memory and judgment functions. Ultimately, these Virginians become defenseless against neglect, abuse and exploitation. Families, professional care providers and the Commonwealth must assume increased responsibility for protection and promotion of the health and welfare of Virginia's most vulnerable adults." Virginia A. Pomata, chair of Governor Gilmore's Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Commission. According to the Republican Party of Virginia: "In order to strengthen Virginia's families the Commonwealth needs services that support family caregivers… The demands of caregiving can be extremely stressful, particularly when the family is dealing with Alzheimer's disease… Because of the nature of the disease, many families provide care 24 hours a day… Once the family caregiver 'burns out' from the stress of providing care, the more costly alternative of institutionalization becomes the family's only option" (The Virginia Seniors Bill of Rights, 1999). "The Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association Safe Return Program has been proven as an effective nationwide identification, registration and support program for people with dementia who may wander and become lost. Wandering is the most common and life threatening behavior of people with dementia affecting 70%. According to the Virginia Search and Rescue Council, each search and rescue incident can cost $30,000; in contrast, Safe Return enrollment is just $45 per family and often helps diminish the need for a search and rescue effort. Only 889 of Virginia's 100,000 people with dementia currently are enrolled in the Safe Return Program" (A Blueprint for the Commonwealth's Response to Dementia). According to Virginia's Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, "More than 60% of the 936 complaints investigated by local Ombudsmen in 1998 were rooted in staffing problems: lack of staff; inadequately trained staff; or staff attitudes and behavior toward residents" (Statement to the Joint Commission on Health Care Long-Term Care Subcommittee, July 27, 1999). "People with dementia, their families and the Commonwealth face staggering and avoidable social, financial and health costs due to inadequate care. Inadequate care is a choice. The care facilities can hire enough staff, provide appropriate training, and pay a competitive wage. Or not. The Commonwealth can create genuine access to services and mandate meaningful standards. Or not. Change can be voluntary; change can be mandated; either way, change is necessary." RADM Donald M. Showers, USN (Ret.), Alzheimer's Association, Northern Virginia Chapter Board Member and caregiver.

You can track the progress of these and other issues currently before the Virginia General Assembly at the 2000 Legislative Updates section and read last year's 1999 Legislative Platform.