Missouri
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Build a Dementia-Capable Workforce
Require Training for Professional Care Providers
Help us build a workforce that is better prepared to take care of our loved ones. We can do this by requiring evidence-based dementia training for all those who serve individuals with dementia. We need to implement curriculum that incorporates the principles of person-centered care and provides for continuing education so that professional direct care providers have the latest information on best practices to care for people with dementia. Better trained workers leads to better care. Representative Lynn Morris has filed House Bill 2481 to make changes to ensure we have properly trained care workers. Representative Morris held a hearing in the House Select Committee on Aging on March 4, 2020. The Alzheimer's Association testified in support with our Advocate Amelia Cottle answering questions from the committee members.
Increase Access to Home and Community-Based Services
Maintain Funding for Alzheimer’s Respite Grants
Caregivers often experience declining health, job loss and financial difficulties. Respite assistance gives care partners a much needed break. In Missouri, 314,000 family caregivers provide 358 million hours of unpaid care at a value of more than $4 billion dollars, much of which would otherwise be provided in a nursing home and funded by Medicaid. We support maintaining the $450,000 in the Budget for the Department of Health and Senior Services, HB 10. Respite assistance provides funds for respite support or care-related products for families for a loved one with Alzheimer's at home. Family caregivers reported that the state funded respite assistance program helps them keep their loved ones at home longer. If this program delays nursing home placement by just one month, Missouri could save more than $2 million annually in Medicaid costs.
Advance Alzheimer's Policy
Establish an Alzheimer's State Plan Task Force
Alzheimer’s is a large and growing public health crisis that state policymakers cannot ignore. Each state has its own unique gaps and needs, and a state-specific plan can recommend tailored policies to better serve those living with dementia and their families. Missouri's State Alzheimer’s Plan was published in 2010 and is out-of-date. It is critical that Missouri conducts a current, comprehensive needs assessment and produces a set of timely recommendations that lawmakers and stakeholders can implement, to meet the unique needs of individuals and families living with dementia in our state. To do this, we are supporting legislation to create the Missouri Alzheimer's State Plan Task Force. Representative David Wood filed House Bill 1683 in the House with Senator Wayne Wallingford filing companion legislation, Senate Bill 823. House Bill 1683 has already received approval from the Missouri House and is now in the Senate waiting to be referred to committee for consideration.
Missouri State Plan Overview
In 2009, the Missouri General Assembly established the Missouri Alzheimer's State Plan Task Force through passage of HB 272. Tasked with assessing the challenges posed by Alzheimer's disease and related dementias within the state, the Task Force included representatives from state agencies, health care providers, and community organizations as well as caregivers, state legislators, an individual living with Alzheimer's, and the Lieutenant Governor. After collecting public input regarding community frustrations, concerns, and advice on dealing with this disease, the Task Force presented the Missouri Alzheimer's State Plan, published in November 2010.
Missouri State Advocacy Day
March 04, 2020
We had over 100 advocates join association staff to storm the capital on March 4th! Our advocates met with leadership of both the House and Senate including the Speaker of the House and and President Pro Tem of the Senate. Meetings included visits with the legislative sponsors of our priority legislation, Representative David Wood, Representative Lynn Morris and Senator Wayne Wallingford. Our advocates were able to advance our efforts for $450,000 in respite funding administered by the Association and bills that updates standards for Dementia Care Training and reauthorizes a statewide task force that will update the Alzheimer's State Plan for Missouri and offer recommendations for the Governor and General Assembly to adopt to better address the public health crisis of Alzheimer's and other related dementia. In a rotunda ceremony we heard from longtime advocates, caregivers and those that have lost loved ones. We were honored to have Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe address our attendees and share his story about his mother who lived with Alzheimer's and ended our day with a promise garden ceremony.
Sign Up to Learn More About Advocacy Opportunities in Missouri
State Affairs Contact Jerry Dowell | 573-489-4263 | [email protected]
Number of People Aged 65 and Older With Alzheimer's by Age
| Year | 65-74 | 75-84 | 85+ | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 18,000 | 51,000 | 48,000 | 120,000 |
| 2025 | 21,000 | 61,000 | 51,000 | 130,000 |
Percentage change from 2020
Medicaid
$973
MILLION
Medicaid costs of caring for people with Alzheimer's (2020)
16.8%
change in costs from 2020 to 2025
Medicare
$23,441
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)
| 2,641 | total deaths in Missouri | |
| 6th | leading cause of death in Missouri |
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.