Support Implementation and Updates to the State Alzheimer’s Plan
Montana published a State Alzheimer’s Plan after discussions with multiple stakeholders to outline how the state can address Alzheimer’s. The Alzheimer’s Association is calling on state leaders to continue to prioritize regular updates and implementation to the State Alzheimer’s Plan to support people with dementia and their family caregiver. Montana must focus on addressing Alzheimer’s as a public health crisis; building a dementia capable workforce; increasing access to home and community-based services; and improving the quality of care in residential settings.
Prioritize Long-Term Care in the Response to COVID-19
The pandemic has exposed gaps in the provision of long-term care (LTC) in Montana. As the state continues its response, the Alzheimer’s Association is urging state policymakers to prioritize LTC, focusing on testing; reporting; surge activation; and providing support. This includes providing LTC communities with access to rapid testing and personal protective equipment (PPE) so residents and their families can safely reunite, as well as ensuring that outbreaks are reported and that long-term care is included in the state’s emergency preparedness and response plans.
Montana State Plan Overview
In June 2014 the Montana Alzheimer's Disease/Dementia Work Group was established as a grassroots collaboration with funding provided by a grant from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI): Improving the Lives of Alzheimer's Patients and Their Caregivers: A Patient-Centered Statewide Approach. The Work Group is a statewide partnership consisting of several key national, state, and local partners interested in improving care and support to Montanans with Alzheimer's disease and other related dementias, their families, and caregivers. The Work Group consists of over 40 members representing multiple industries or stakeholder groups including the Alzheimer's Association, the Senior and Long-term Care Division of the Department of Public Health and Human Services, the Governor's Office, other government agencies, patient advocacy groups, patient advocates (caregivers), Assisted Living/Long-Term Care facilities, senior services groups, regional healthcare organizations and providers, the Veteran's Administration, educators, researchers, legislators, Montana's Native American population, and the LGBT community. In December 2016 the Work Group published Montana's Alzheimer's and Dementia State Plan: Addressing the Current and Future Needs of Individuals and Families with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias.
Montana State Advocacy Day
March 08, 2021
Join fellow Alzheimer’s advocates for an exciting week of virtual advocacy urging Montana’s state lawmakers to support people with dementia and their families. Over the course of four days, we will have a series of informative and engaging virtual events with state government leaders to highlight the urgent need for increased attention around the needs of people with dementia and their caregivers. Join us March 8-11, 2021 to learn about the issues and engage with your state government representatives. And we will all wear purple to unify us in our virtual efforts!
