Support H.B.2004 - Charlie's Bill - Preventing Transfer Trauma for Residents of Assisted Living
Here in Kansas, there are cases where residents of assisted living centers are discharged from their home without notice or cause and are often dropped off at hotels or homeless shelters. Residents deserve the same rights as apartment residents in Kansas who can appeal any discharge from their home. Transfers or discharges can be very traumatizing to residents, especially those with dementia. Charlie Imthurn, a resident with Alzheimer's, was a victim of this practice when he was evicted from his residence in an assisted living community without cause and died nine days later due to the trauma of moving. The Alzheimer’s Association is calling on legislators to support Charlie’s bill, which would create the right to appeal an involuntary discharge or transfer from an adult residential care facility. An appeal process would reduce the number of Kansans who would experience transfer trauma and therefore save lives.
Support H.B.2122: The Supported Decision-Making Agreements Act
The process of obtaining guardianship can be very expensive and time-consuming. Families in Kansas need additional options to successfully support those that need decision-making assistance but are not in need of guardianship. The Alzheimer’s Association is calling on legislators to support the Supported Decision-Making Agreements Act. This bill will provide a statutory framework for adults who want decision-making assistance and allows applicants to keep all their rights while receiving additional assistance in certain areas of their life, such as financial or medical issues.
Support H.B. 2543 Access to Senior Care Act services for those with Younger-Onset Alzheimer's disease.
This bill would give access to the vital services provided in the Senior Care Act to those under the age of 60 who are diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer's disease. These services can include attendant care, respite care, homemaker, chore services and adult day care.
Kansas State Plan Overview
In May 2019 Governor Laura Kelly signed Executive Order No. 19-08, Establishing the Kansas Alzheimer’s Disease Task Force. Gov. Kelly asked the Task Force to: assess the current and future impact of Alzheimer’s disease on residents of the State of Kansas; examine the existing industries, services, and resources addressing the needs of persons with Alzheimer’s, their families, and caregivers; and develop a strategy to mobilize a state response to this public health crisis. Task Force members were appointed by either the Governor or other elected officials as listed in the Executive Order. The members were divided into committees that studied, researched and documented the following topics for the plan: Public Awareness, Access to Care, Family Caregivers, Training and Workforce, Safety and Legal, Research and Data, Dementia Care, and Rural. The Task Force met bi-monthly between the months of August and November of 2019 and in January 2020, published the 2020 Kansas Alzheimer’s Disease Plan. An executive summary was also prepared.
Kansas State Advocacy Day
February 01, 2022
Kansas’ State Advocacy day was held on February 1st and was a huge success. Thank you to our speakers Rep. Susan Concannon, Breana Tucker, Doug Neal, Camille Russell, Rachel Imthurn, and to all of our advocates who joined us for this special event! We hope to see you again next year!
