Page 32 - Healthy Brain Initiative, State and Local Public Health Partnerships to Address Dementia: The 2018-2023 Road Map

SPOTLIGHT

USING STATE PLANS ON ALZHEIMER’S AND OTHER DEMENTIAS

State and local dementia plans aim to build the With the rapidly growing and changing nature of the
infrastructure and accountability for policies, services, Alzheimer’s crisis, it is essential that state dementia
and programs to mitigate the burden of dementia. plans are living documents that stakeholders
A comprehensive state plan helps to unite key implement, monitor, and periodically update. Public
stakeholders and public health partners—including health is an essential partner in leading these efforts. •
people living with dementia and caregivers—around a
range of issues. State plans often focus on:

» Tailoring supports for people affected by dementia;
» Using data and analyses to inform the state
response and track progress on priorities;

» Assuring quality of long-term care;

» Providing home- and community-based services;

» Helping identify and track the availability of
diagnostic services;

» Protecting the safety of persons who wander; and
» Supporting caregivers and healthcare
professionals.
As of April 2018, 48 states and territories have
published Alzheimer’s disease plans and a few cities
and counties have created regional plans. Nearly
all of the published plans include public health
recommendations and strategies for public awareness, Montana Governor Steve Bullock, Alzheimer’s Association
early detection, education about brain health, and Montana Chapter Policy Lead Nick Hart, and Montana
monitoring the burden of cognitive decline and Lieutenant Governor Mike Cooney (left to right) pose with
the Montana Alzheimer’s and Dementia State Plan in March
caregiving. A majority of state plans highlight early 2017. Photo credit: Brittney Kuntz.
detection and diagnosis as an essential component.