Establish a Permanent Dementia Coordinator Position in Rhode Island
As of 2021, there are nearly 25,000 Rhode Islanders living with Alzheimer's disease and more than 38,000 unpaid caregivers providing support for them. Although the state released an updated State Plan on Alzheimer's Disease & Related Disorders in 2019, implementation has lagged. In 2022, the Alzheimer’s Association will urge state policymakers to establish a permanent dementia coordinator staff position to lead implementation of the plan and coordinate dementia related efforts across agencies to better support Rhode Islanders living with dementia and their families.
Rhode Island State Plan Overview
In April 2012, the Rhode Island General Assembly enacted Senate Bill 2858, directing the Long-Term Care Coordinating Council to lead a workgroup on the development of a state plan, to be co-chaired by the chair of the Long-Term Care Coordinating Council, the lieutenant governor or designee and the director of the division of elderly affairs. The Workgroup collected public feedback and published Rhode Island’s State Plan on Alzheimer’s Disease & Related Disorders in September 2013. In February 2019, the Long-Term Care Coordinating Council published the 2019 Update, Rhode Island State Plan on Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders.
Rhode Island State Advocacy Day
April 14, 2022
Join us at the Rhode Island State Advocacy Day at the Rhode Island State House on April 14th, 2022 (COVID-19 permitting) to urge state lawmakers to prioritize establishing a permanent dementia coordinator staff position. The State Advocacy Day will include education on state policy priorities and opportunities to engage with elected officials. Never advocated before? No problem! We’ll train you and there will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions before meeting with state officials. More information is coming soon!
