Idaho
Increase Public Awareness, Early Detection And Diagnosis
Make dementia information accessible in Idaho
With 85,000 Idahoans currently serving as family caregivers for people with Alzheimer's’ or another dementia, it is critical that dementia information and resources be easily accessible so families and care providers can continue to care for their loved ones. Currently, there is no centralized information portal for families dealing with Alzheimer’s. The Alzheimer’s Association is seeking leadership from our state officials to prioritize the development of a statewide, interactive information portal specific to Alzheimer’s and other dementias, caregiver resources and aging issues in order to ease the frustration of families looking for help on this new road in life.
Increase Public Awareness, Early Detection And Diagnosis
Make Alzheimer’s a public health priority in Idaho
Alzheimer’s is a public health crisis in Idaho. Over 26,000 Idahoans are living with a form of dementia - a figure expected to increase by over 32% by 2025. Alzheimer’s is currently the 6th leading cause of death in our State yet Alzheimer’s and other dementias are not included as priorities in Idaho’s Coordinated Chronic Disease Plan (CCDP). Including information about dementia in the CCDP can allow our State to appropriately prioritize resources and funding to lessen the impact of this public health crisis. The first step toward addressing Alzheimer’s in Idaho is for our state public health officials to include dementia in the upcoming update of the CCDP.
Advance Alzheimer's Policy
Idaho needs a Dementia Coordinator
With a growing number of Idahoans impacted by Alzheimer’s or another dementia, the need for a coordinated response at the state government is urgent. Numerous state agencies administer a variety of programs essential to people living with Alzheimer’s, other forms of dementia, and their caregivers. While their efforts are admirable, these agencies often work separately from one another. A dedicated dementia coordinator is critical to ensuring dementia programs and policies across state agencies are implemented in an effective and coordinated manner. A dementia coordinator will assist in reducing the long-term impact of dementia on the state budget, ensure the efficiency of state programs, identify gaps, and update and oversee implementation of the Idaho State Alzheimer’s Plan.
Advance Alzheimer's Policy
Update the Idaho State Alzheimer’s Plan
As the impact of Alzheimer’s continues to grow, our State’s response needs to be well developed. In 2013, Idaho published the State Plan for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias but that Plan has not been updated. It is critical that stakeholders convene to collaborate with the legislature, Governor and state agencies to develop solutions for Idaho to effectively address Alzheimer's. In working with stakeholders, Idaho needs to conduct a current, comprehensive needs assessment and prepare a set of timely recommendations that lawmakers and stakeholders can implement to best support people with dementia and their families.
Idaho State Plan Overview
In 2012, the Idaho Legislature established the Idaho Alzheimer's Planning Group through passage of Senate Concurrent Resolution 112. Tasked with determining how the state could best assist individuals and families impacted by Alzheimer's disease, the Planning Group included representatives from state agencies, advocacy agencies, academia, and community organizations as well as researchers, caregivers, individuals affected by Alzheimer's, and the Governor. After conducting a year-long state assessment and soliciting input from community stakeholders and the public-at-large, the Planning Group released A State Plan for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias: Addressing the Needs of Idahoans with ADRD, Their Caregivers, and Family Members in March 2013. The Idaho legislature endorsed the statewide plan with the passage of House Concurrent Resolution 34 in 2013.
Idaho State Advocacy Day
February 11, 2020
Join us in Boise for our annual Alzheimer's Association Advocacy Day! Your voice and your story MATTER as we work to urge legislators to engage in the fight for a dementia-capable Idaho. Register today!
Sign Up to Learn More About Advocacy Opportunities in Idaho
State Affairs Contact Lisa Anderson | 208-206-0041 | [email protected]
Elected Officials
Enter your address here to see your elected officials' positions on Alzheimer's and ways you can contact them to support the Alzheimer's community.
Number of People Aged 65 and Older With Alzheimer's by Age
| Year | 65-74 | 75-84 | 85+ | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 5,000 | 12,000 | 10,000 | 27,000 |
| 2025 | 5,000 | 16,000 | 12,000 | 33,000 |
Percentage change from 2020
Medicaid
$149
MILLION
Medicaid costs of caring for people with Alzheimer's (2020)
31.2%
change in costs from 2020 to 2025
Medicare
$21,051
per capita Medicare spending on people with dementia (in 2019 dollars)
HOSPICE (2017)
#
of people in hospice have a primary diagnosis of dementia
of people in hospice with a primary diagnosis of dementia
Geriatricians
Number of geriatricians in 2019
increase needed to meet Alzheimer's population needs in 2050
Hospitals (2017)
#
of emergency department visits per 1,000 people with dementia
dementia patient hospital readmission rate
increase in emergency deparment visits since 2007
Caregiving
Number of Caregivers
Total Hours of Unpaid Care
Total Value of Unpaid Care
Number of Deaths from Alzheimer's Disease (2018)
| 666 | total deaths in Idaho | |
| 6th | leading cause of death in Idaho | |
| 154% | increase in Alzheimer's deaths since 2000 |
For more information, view the 2020 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures report at alz.org/facts.
U.S. Statistics
Over 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's, and as many as 13.8 million will have the disease in 2050. The cost of caring for those with Alzheimer's and other dementias is estimated to total $305 billion in 2020, increasing to $1.1 trillion (in today's dollars) by mid-century. Nearly 1 in 3 seniors who dies each year has Alzheimer's or another dementia.