Support Critical Funding For Dementia Family Caregivers
Family caregivers play a critical role in the delivery of health care in the state of Arkansas. In Arkansas alone, over 93,000 caregivers provide 140 million hours of unpaid care at a value of $2.98 billion to the state. Research has proven that supporting family caregivers can save the state millions of dollars in Medicaid funding by delaying placement in long-term care. Arkansas needs to invest in support services such as respite so that families can make care choices that will allow their loved ones to age in the most appropriate setting for as long as possible. Without these funds, many caregivers risk worsening their own health. The Alzheimer’s Association is calling on state policymakers to include funding for a pilot program to provide respite grants for family caregivers of those living with dementia.
Arkansas State Plan Overview
In 2009, the Task Force on the Effect of Alzheimer's Disease in Arkansas was established via House Bill 1014 to bring together caregivers, public health officials, patient advocates, and community leaders to tackle a range of Alzheimer's issues. After collecting public feedback to inform the plan's recommendations, the Task Force published The Task Force on the Effect of Alzheimer's Disease in Arkansas Final Report in 2011.
Arkansas State Advocacy Day
February 14, 2022
Join us for the Arkansas State Advocacy Week scheduled for February 14th - 17th. This week of action will be highlighted by an in-person event on Tuesday, February 15th at the Arkansas State Capitol. Advocates will come together to hear from state leaders, understand the Alzheimer’s Association’s leading asks during the legislative session and meet with state legislators to share their story and urge support of these critical priorities. Never advocated before? No problem! We’ll train you and there will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions before meeting with state officials. We need you to help us send a unified message to state lawmakers about the importance of supporting family caregivers!
