North Dakota State Alzheimer’s Plan Overview
In 2007, the North Dakota legislature approved House Concurrent Resolution No. 3022 to study the current and future impact of Alzheimer’s disease within the state. The Dementia-Related Services — Background Memorandum was presented to the state’s Long-Term Care Committee in 2007. In 2020, funds were allocated to support an update of the state plan, allowing the state to convene a work group to conduct a current and comprehensive needs assessment and develop a new set of recommendations. A new plan was released in 2022, coinciding with the launch of data-focused Alzheimer’s/Dementia Dashboard on the North Dakota Department of Health’s website.
North Dakota 2024 Policy Priorities
Establish a Dementia-Capable State Government Infrastructure
While lawmakers have provided funding for support services for caregivers and North Dakotans living with dementia, there has yet to be a dedicated position or council within the state government to coordinate these services, promote risk reduction, early detection and diagnosis, and improve access to care, support and treatment. The Alzheimer’s Association is urging state lawmakers to support legislation establishing a State Dementia Services Coordinator position and a State Alzheimer’s and Dementia Advisory Council housed within the Department of Health and Human Services. The dedicated position and council will work to ensure North Dakota has a coordinated statewide response toward addressing Alzheimer’s and other dementia.
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Find My Chapter
Together, we’re making an impact. Find an Alzheimer’s Association chapter in your community for more ways to engage.
13,700
people living with Alzheimer’s in North Dakota
19,000
North Dakotans are providing unpaid care
$190 Million
Medicaid cost of caring for people living with Alzheimer’s (2020)
325
deaths from Alzheimer’s in 2021
18%
in hospice with a primary diagnosis of dementia
183.3%
increase of geriatricians in North Dakota needed to meet the demand in 2050
Resources to Drive Change in North Dakota
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 North Dakota policymakers are addressing these gaps, and how you can help drive change.