Louisiana
Build a Dementia-Capable Workforce
Addressing Milestones to Care - Supporting Dementia Training for Direct Care Workers
Based on the U.S. National Alzheimer's Plan, Louisiana is creating milestones for care and support of those with Alzheimer's and other dementias. The Alzheimer's Association will work with state agencies to initiate and require training of staff involved in the delivery of care to those with Alzheimer's and other dementias in licensed long-term care facilities, home, and adult day settings. This will be the first in a series of Milestones to Care.
Build a Dementia-Capable Workforce
Supporting Dementia Training for Law Enforcement, First Responders and Adult Protective Services Workers
Emergency officials often interact with individuals with Alzheimer's or other dementias but may not have sufficient training to effectively communicate with this population. The Alzheimer's Association is supporting dementia training for emergency personnel - a policy priority that would require Alzheimer's and dementia training for law enforcement, first responders and Adult Protective Service workers. This training will focus on the recognition of individuals with cognitive impairment and on intervention in cases of missing persons, safety, exploitation and abuse.
Louisiana State Plan Overview
In 2008, the Louisiana Legislature created the Louisiana Alzheimer's Disease Task Force through the enactment of of Senate Concurrent Resolution 80 to study the impact of Alzheimer's within the state and make recommendations to meet the growing issues presented by the disease. The Task Force included representatives from state agencies, care associations, long-term care providers, and community organizations as well as caregivers, state legislators, and individuals directly impacted by the disease. The Task Force presented their final report, The Impact of Alzheimer's Disease in Louisiana: A Report by the Alzheimer's Disease Task Force, to the Louisiana Legislature and Governor's Office in October 2009.
Louisiana State Advocacy Day
April 30, 2019
Please join us as we gather at the STATE capitol, DRESSED IN PURPLE, to show our elected officials that we are putting a stop to Alzheimer's Disease in Louisiana by asking our congressmen to support legislation requiring training of law enforcement regarding the recognition of those with cognitive impairment! #ENDALZ This is an exciting opportunity to speak to your state representatives and senators, develop new advocacy skills, and network with fellow volunteers and advocates. Join us as we paint the capitol purple and second line right into the Rotunda to make our voices heard.
2020 Advocacy Forum
March 22-24, 2020 alz.org/forum
As an Alzheimer's advocate, you've worked to advance critical public policy, making a difference in the lives of all those impacted by Alzheimer's. Together we've achieved great increases in federal Alzheimer's research funding and secured critical advances in care and support. But we can't take our successes for granted — we need to keep the pressure on.
Join us in Washington for an inspiring three-day event filled with networking, training and education.
Be part of the movement that's making a difference in the fight against Alzheimer's.
Sign Up to Learn More About Advocacy Opportunities in Louisiana
State Affairs Contact Stacey Denham | | [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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 15,000 | 39,000 | 36,000 | 89,000 |
| 2025 | 18,000 | 49,000 | 40,000 | 110,000 |
Percentage change from 2019
Medicaid
$740
MILLION
Medicaid costs of caring for people with Alzheimer's (2019)
24.7%
change in costs from 2019 to 2025
Medicare
$28,935
per capita Medicare spending on people with dementia (in 2018 dollars)
HOSPICE (2016)
#
of people in hospice have a primary diagnosis of dementia
of people in hospice with a primary diagnosis of dementia
Hospitals (2015)
#
of emergency department visits per 1,000 people with dementia
dementia patient hospital readmission rate
Caregiving
Number of Caregivers
Total Hours of Unpaid Care
Total Value of Unpaid Care
Higher Health Costs of Caregivers
Number of Deaths from Alzheimer's Disease (2017)
| 6th | leading cause of death in Louisiana |
| 170% | increase in Alzheimer's deaths since 2000 |
For more information, view the 2019 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 14 million will have the disease in 2050. The cost of caring for those with Alzheimer's and other dementias is estimated to total $290 billion in 2019, increasing to $1.1 trillion (in today's dollars) by mid-century. Nearly one in every three seniors who dies each year has Alzheimer's or another dementia.