Tennessee
Build a Dementia-Capable Workforce
Preventing Abuse of the Vulnerable Population with Alzheimer's
This legislative session we are supporting the "Elderly and Vulnerable Adult Protection Act of 2019" (S.B. 1039/H.B. 0909). Those struggling with Alzheimer's disease and dementia are uniquely at risk for abuse, neglect and financial exploitation. The Alzheimer's Association, Tennessee Chapter applauds Sen. Todd Gardenhire, Sen. Rusty Crowe and Rep. Kelly Keisling for recognizing the need for action and is committed to enthusiastically supporting this piece of legislation.
Advance Alzheimer's Policy
Strengthen Protections Against Financial Exploitation
Sadly, in addition to facing the ravages of the disease, individuals with Alzheimer's disease are all too often targets for financial exploitation from his/her appointed conservator. This year we are supporting S.B. 867/H.B 0896 brought by Representative Darren Jernigan (TN-60) and Senator Jon Lundberg (TN-4) requiring conservators other than public guardians to complete educational training on conservatorships within 30 days of appointment; allows a guardian ad litem to obtain a credit report and state and national criminal history background checks for a proposed fiduciary. Adding this extra layer of protection will guard the vulnerable population with Alzheimer's disease against exploitation. Please reach out to your state senator and representative and ask them to support this important issue!
Advance Alzheimer's Policy
Support SB28/HB37 Increase Tennessee's Commitment to Battling the Alzheimer's Crisis
This year we will be supporting legislation (Senate Bill 28 and House Bill 37) establishing a permanent Alzheimer's Advisory Council. The council will be tasked with drafting a state Alzheimer's plan. Additionally, the council will be charged with continually assessing the current status of Alzheimer's disease in the state and advising on the current and future impact of Alzheimer's disease on the residents of Tennessee. The council will also examine the existing industries, services, and resources for persons with Alzheimer's, their families, and caregivers; and to develop a strategy to mobilize a state response to the Alzheimer's public health crisis. The council will annually provide recommendations to the governor and to the general assembly on issues related to its work. Establishing a permanent Alzheimer's Advisory Council would allow for continued state action on Alzheimer's issues and create a body of citizens responsible for ensuring implementation as well as put Tennessee in a position to receive increase federal resources. Sponsoring this bill are Sen. Rusty Crowe (TN-03) and Rep. Sam Whitson (TN-65). We are grateful for their passion for Alzheimer's disease and for being champions for action. Please contact your legislator to ask their support of Senate Bill 28/House Bill 37 to support Tennesseans with Alzheimer's!
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 Tennessee Alzheimer's Disease Task Force Final Report.
Tennessee State Advocacy Day
February 13, 2019
Our annual Day on the Hill will take place at Cordell Hull on February 13th, 2019. Advocates will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with legislators and attend a luncheon mixer with legislators and their staff and hear about latest research from the lead researcher at the Pat Summitt Clinic.
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 Tennessee
State Affairs Contact Rachel Blackhurst | | [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 | 20,000 | 53,000 | 45,000 | 120,000 |
| 2025 | 23,000 | 69,000 | 52,000 | 140,000 |
Percentage change from 2019
Medicaid
$1.05
BILLION
Medicaid costs of caring for people with Alzheimer's (2019)
29.6%
change in costs from 2019 to 2025
Medicare
$23,695
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 Tennessee |
| 4th | highest Alzheimer's death rate in America |
| 244% | 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.