Minnesota State Alzheimer’s Plan Overview
In 2017, the Minnesota Legislature (2017 Session Law) called on the Minnesota Board on Aging to reconvene the Alzheimer’s Disease Working Group (ADWG) to review and revise the Preparing Minnesota for Alzheimer’s: the Budgetary, Social and Personal Impacts. As with the original 2009 work group, this working group made recommendations for policies and programs that would prepare Minnesota for the future. The 2018 work group was led by a Minnesotan who is living with mild cognitive impairment and included health care providers, family caregivers, researchers, and representatives from state and local health and human services agencies. The ADWG gathered expert research and background information and solicited input from the general public. The Alzheimer’s Disease Working Group Legislative Report was published in January 2019 and presented to the Minnesota Legislature.
Minnesota 2025 Policy Priorities
Expand Access to Respite Care for Dementia Caregivers
More than 164,000 caregivers in Minnesota provided 225 million hours of unpaid care in 2024, often enabling their loved ones living with dementia to live in the community instead of moving into more costly residential long-term care. However, over half of the caregivers in Minnesota are living with chronic health conditions. Respite care provides necessary relief to family caregivers, allowing the caregiver to take care of their personal medical issues, complete tasks outside of the home, or simply enjoy time off from the demands of caregiving. The Alzheimer’s Association is urging lawmakers to appropriate $4 million in permanent funding for respite care grants and an increase in state benefits that can be used to pay for respite care.
Establish a Dementia Programs Manager Position
Minnesota spends $905 million in Medicaid costs for people living with Alzheimer’s. With such significant costs, the state must ensure a coordinated statewide response to mitigate future impact. The Alzheimer’s Association is calling on state lawmakers to establish a dementia programs manager to increase interagency coordination in the development of policies and programs that serve people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia across the state.
Ensure Equitable Access to Treatments
Early intervention can provide individuals living with dementia more time to plan for the future, adopt lifestyle changes, participate in clinical trials, and live more fully with a higher quality of life for as long as possible. Medicaid, Medicare, and Veteran Medical Benefit beneficiaries in Minnesota have access to Alzheimer’s treatments covered by their insurance plans, however, individuals under the age of 65 and those on private insurance plans do not have access to these critical treatments. The Alzheimer’s Association is calling on lawmakers to require health insurance coverage of Alzheimer’s treatments on private insurance plans and for those under 65.
Minnesota State Advocacy Day
Join advocates from across the state on Tuesday, March 11, 2025 to share your story and urge lawmakers to support our legislative priorities that will influence meaningful change for Minnesotans impacted by Alzheimer’s and other dementia. Make a difference by lifting your voice and inspiring action!
Sign Up to Learn About Advocacy Opportunities in Minnesota
Find My Chapter
Together, we’re making an impact. Find an Alzheimer’s Association chapter in your community for more ways to engage.
101,900
people living with Alzheimer’s in Minnesota
164,000
Minnesotans are providing unpaid care
$905 Million
Medicaid cost of caring for people living with Alzheimer’s (2020)
2,251
deaths from Alzheimer’s since 2021
21%
in hospice with a primary diagnosis of dementia
221.4%
increase of geriatricians in Minnesota needed to meet the demand in 2050
Resources to Drive Change in Minnesota
The following resources developed by AIM and the Alzheimer’s Association will help you learn more about the issues impacting people living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers, how Minnesota policymakers are addressing these gaps, and how you can help drive change.