Kansas
Build a Dementia-Capable Workforce
Improve Long-Term Care, Require Dementia-Specific Training
Quality care for those with dementia, now and in the future, depends upon the quality of the workforce providing that care, as well as other factors. Competency-based dementia training of all direct service, administrative, supervisory and other staff who are involved in the delivery of care to those with Alzheimer’s disease employed by licensed providers is needed in Kansas. Direct care workers should be required to take 8 hours of initials training (4 hours before working independently with residents, remaining 4 hours within the first four weeks of employment). In addition, 8 hours of in-service training per year should be required in order to be aware of the latest in dementia care.
Increase Access to Home and Community-Based Services
Kansas Senior Care Act Improvements
The Senior Care Act (SCA) program was established by the Kansas Legislature to assist older Kansans who have functional limitations in self-care and independent living, but who are able to reside in a community based residence if some services are provided. Currently the program is for those Kansans age 60 or older and provides services for such things as attendant care, respite care, homemaker, chore services, and adult day care. There are thousands of Kansans who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's and other dementias who desperately need access to these services. The Senior Care Act should be amended to include those under 60 years of age in Kansas who have been diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer's or other dementias.
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.
Kansas State Advocacy Day
February 20, 2020
Thank you everyone who attended the Alzheimer's Association's Advocacy Day at the Capitol! We came out in force to show our elected officials how many Kansans are impacted by Alzheimer's disease. We look forward to seeing you next year!
Sign Up to Learn More About Advocacy Opportunities in Kansas
State Affairs Contact Jamie Gideon | 316-448-6588 | [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 | 8,000 | 22,000 | 25,000 | 55,000 |
| 2025 | 9,000 | 27,000 | 26,000 | 62,000 |
Percentage change from 2020
Medicaid
$473
MILLION
Medicaid costs of caring for people with Alzheimer's (2020)
14.6%
change in costs from 2020 to 2025
Medicare
$22,787
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)
| 899 | total deaths in Kansas | |
| 6th | leading cause of death in Kansas |
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.