Support Dementia Family Caregivers in Tennessee (HB 1686/ SB 1749)
The Colonel Thomas G. Bowden Memorial Act - Sen. Shane Reeves and Rep. Ryan Williams recently introduced SB 1749/HB 1686, the Colonel Thomas G. Bowden Memorial Act. This bill seeks to create a three-year pilot program called the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Respite Care Program, which would provide respite care services for families caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, as well as those living with Alzheimer’s disease.
Tennessee State Plan Overview
In July 2007, the Tennessee General Assembly enacted Senate Bill 826 (Public Chapter No. 566) establishing the Tennessee Alzheimer’s Disease Task Force (TADTF) to assess the current and future impact of Alzheimer’s disease in Tennessee, examine services and resources, and draft a state strategy to respond to Alzheimer’s within the state. The Task Force included representatives from long-term care organizations, adult day providers, physician groups, community organizations, state agencies, caregivers, individuals living with the disease and state legislators. In February 2009 the Task Force published the Tennessee Alzheimer’s Disease Task Force Final Report.
In May of 2019, the Tennessee General Assembly enacted Senate Bill 28 (Public Chapter No. 364) establishing the Tennessee Alzheimer's Disease Advisory Council to assess the current and future impact of Alzheimer's disease in Tennessee, examine services and resources, and draft a state strategy to respond to Alzheimer's within the state. The Advisory Council includes representatives from long-term care organizations, stakeholders, physician groups, community organizations, state agencies, caregivers, individuals living with the disease, and state legislators. In January 2020 the Advisory Council published the updated Alzheimer's and Related Dementia State Plan.
Tennessee State Advocacy Day
February 08, 2022
In response to both the current Covid situation and requests of advocacy leaders, we will be splitting up our advocacy day into two parts. The week of February 7th, we will run a virtual advocacy campaign throughout the week via Phone2Action, seek placement of LTE's on our ask throughout the state, and select state champions will take individual meetings with legislatures. Depending on Covid cases, we will hope to hold an in-person event at the TN state capitol for all advocates in April that will again include advocate meetings with legislators.
