Utah
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Ensure First Responders Can Protect Utahns With Dementia
Law enforcement officers and first responders are critical to the health and safety of Utahns living with Alzheimer’s. They frequently interact with individuals who have dementia in a variety of settings and are among the first to observe instances of abuse and neglect. Without proper training on how to recognize the signs of dementia and how to effectively communicate with people with dementia, situations may escalate quickly with potentially dangerous consequences. The Alzheimer’s Association is calling on policymakers to support efforts in Utah to provide dementia training to first responders to educate these professionals on understanding specific behavior symptoms, effective communication strategies, protocols for contacting caregivers and available local resources.
Empower Adult Protective Services Workers with Dementia-Training
Adult Protective Services (APS) workers are on the front lines of protecting older adults from exploitation and harm. Many of the adults they are charged to protect are living with Alzheimer’s or dementia, and it is critical that these workers have the training to understand how to best serve this population. That’s why the Alzheimer’s Association is advocating for APS workers to be trained regarding dementia, communication with individuals, and spotting cases of abuse, neglect or financial exploitation.
Utah State Plan Overview
In March 2011, Utah legislature Senate Bill 48 establishing the Utah State Plan Task Force within the Utah Division of Aging and Adult Services. Tasked with assessing the current and future impact of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias within the state, the Task Force included representatives from state agencies, homecare providers, health plans, and elder law, as well as state legislators, an individual living with the disease, caregivers, and the lieutenant governor. Collecting public feedback, the Task Force drafted Utah's State Plan for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias: Action Plan for 2012-2017, published in January 2012. In early 2018, Utah updated their plan, releasing Utah's State Plan for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias, 2018 to 2022.
Utah State Advocacy Day
February 15, 2021
Join fellow Alzheimer’s advocates for an exciting week of virtual advocacy urging Utah’s state lawmakers to support people with dementia and their families. Over the course of three days, we will have a series of informative and engaging virtual events with state government leaders to highlight the urgent need for dementia training for first responders and adult protective services workers. We will host a series of events February 15-17, 2021 that will mix storytelling, advocacy training and direct engagement with your state government representatives. Join us!
Sign Up to Learn More About Advocacy Opportunities in Utah
State Affairs Contact Jeremy Cunningham | 801 265 1944 | [email protected]
Number of People Aged 65 and Older With Alzheimer's by Age
| Year | 65-74 | 75-84 | 85+ | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 6,000 | 15,000 | 13,000 | 34,000 |
| 2025 | 7,000 | 20,000 | 15,000 | 42,000 |
Percentage change from 2020
Medicaid
$185
MILLION
Medicaid costs of caring for people with Alzheimer's (2020)
27.0%
change in costs from 2020 to 2025
Medicare
$22,229
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)
| 1,024 | total deaths in Utah | |
| 4th | leading cause of death in Utah | |
| 199% | increase in Alzheimer's deaths since 2000 |
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.