Michigan
Increase Access to Home and Community-Based Services
Increasing access to home and community based services
Increase access to home and community-based services to ensure that those with Alzheimer's and other dementias have access to these services regardless of age or financial status. In 2019 we will address this by advocating for full funding of the Michigan Dementia Care and Support Program and the Silver Key Coalition. We will also work with the administration to set Medicaid financial and functional eligibility requirements for home and community based services at a level that ensures the ability of individuals with Alzheimer's and other dementias to live in the most appropriate setting.
Enhance the Quality of Care in Residential Settings
Eliminate Medicaid Spend-Down Requirements
For many individuals with Alzheimer's or other dementias, paying for long-term care requires "spending down" income and assets in order to qualify for Medicaid. The Alzheimer's Association is working to update Medicaid requirements regarding financial eligibility to allow those with Alzheimer's and other dementias to live in the most appropriate setting.
Advance Alzheimer's Policy
Assessing Affordable and Accessible Long Term Care Options in MI
In 2019, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will conduct a rigorous needs assessment of long-term care in Michigan and provide an actuarial analysis of potential solutions. Funding for the study is a public/private partnership, with funding from both the State of Michigan and private donors. Specifically, this study will assess the current landscape of long term care needs, including: What public and private services exist,and what the costs for those current services are; who is accessing those services and who is not; what are the challenges to accessing care, including the gaps in services, and; the challenges faced by the care workforce and family caregivers. The Alzheimer's Association will serve as a study stakeholder. The results will be used to set legislative strategies for 2020.
Advance Alzheimer's Policy
Publish a New State Dementia Plan
In May of 2019, Michigan Dementia Coalition will release a new state dementia plan. As a member of the steering committee of this coalition, we look forward to implementing the plan in 2019 and beyond. Stay tuned to our website for additional details!
Michigan State Plan Overview
Created by the Michigan Dementia Coalition, Michigan Dementia Plan Update: 2009-2011 was published in January 2009. The Coalition is comprised of community agencies, universities, dementia caregivers, and state government officials.
Michigan State Advocacy Day
May 07, 2019
The Alzheimer's Association, Michigan Chapters will be hosting Alzheimer's Advocacy Day in Lansing on Tuesday May 7, 2019. Join us and speak with your state senator and state representative about the needs of those living with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia and their families. Advocacy Day will begin with check-in at 9:30 AM in the Mackinac Room of the Anderson House Office Building. The day will conclude following you legislative meetings, no later than 4:00 PM. Lunch will be provided. There is no cost to attend, however, registration is required. The registration deadline is April 26, 2019. This is your opportunity to tell your story of your family's journey with Alzheimer's or a related dementia to your state senator and state representative--and to ask them to support key legislation. Your story is all you need to make a difference in the fight against Alzheimer's! Register here: http://act.alz.org/site/Survey?ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS&SURVEY_ID=55145 For questions or more information please contact Matt Phelan at [email protected]
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 Michigan
State Affairs Contact Jennifer Hunt | 2484831369 | [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 | 29,000 | 80,000 | 79,000 | 190,000 |
| 2025 | 34,000 | 100,000 | 85,000 | 220,000 |
Percentage change from 2019
Medicaid
$1.422
BILLION
Medicaid costs of caring for people with Alzheimer's (2019)
20.9%
change in costs from 2019 to 2025
Medicare
$27,244
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 Michigan |
| 169% | 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.