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2001 Legislative Platform

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Please contact your state Senator and Delegate to ask for their support of the Alzheimer's Association 2001 Legislative Platform.

During the legislative session, you may call the Constituent Viewpoint operators at (800) 889-0229 to express your opinion on a legislative issue. When the General Assembly is not in session, call (804)698-1500 for the House of Delegates Legislative Information Office and (804) 698-7410 for the Senate Legislative Information Office. You can determine which members of the Virginia General Assembly represent you at the General Assembly website search page.


Alzheimer's Association
2001 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

  1. The Alzheimer's Association recommends that the Commonwealth enact legislation and appropriate General Fund monies to improve access to high quality care for Virginians with dementia by:
    • requiring that direct care staff complete an intensive dementia-specific training program
    • enhancing the time direct care staff spend assisting people with dementia
    • tightening the oversight of institutions caring for people with dementia
    • encouraging expansion of specialized dementia-suitable home and community-based care programs in underserved communities

  2. The Alzheimer's Association recommends that the Commonwealth increase access to dementia-suitable adult daycare, respite care and home care services.

  3. The Alzheimer's Association recommends that the Commonwealth appropriate General Fund monies to contract with the Alzheimer's Association to expand:
    • professional counseling and referral services to reach all Virginia families living with dementia
    • family enrollments in the Safe Return Program
    • collaboration with the faith community

Endorsements

The Alzheimer's Association recommends that the Commonwealth adopt the recommendations of:
  • Governor Gilmore's Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Commission
  • The Virginia Coalition for the Aging
  • The Northern Virginia Aging Network
  • The ARRP Virginia State Legislative Committee

Virginians Are Talking About Dementia and Caregiving

"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."

Governor James Gilmore's Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Commission


"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."

Governor James Gilmore's Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Commission


"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 Republican Party's 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."

Governor James Gilmore's Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Commission


"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 of Virginia's Long-Term Care Ombudsman 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 2001 Legislative Updates section and read last year's 2000 Legislative Platform.

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Last updated: January 9, 2001

Please return to https://www.alz-nova.org or
call toll-free (866) 259-0042 or (703) 359-4440
for more information about services in Northern Virginia.

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