Dear Neighbors,
The Alzheimer’s Association reports in 2015, 5.3 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease. There are currently 89,000 Minnesotans with Alzheimer's disease and 248,000 caregivers. It is estimated that by 2025, 120,000 Minnesotans will be living with the disease. One in three seniors die with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. I would like to take a moment to share with you a few legislative items I have been working on related to those impacted by Alzheimer’s and related dementias.
Meeting of the Minds Dementia Conference 2016
On March 19, I attended the Meeting of the Minds Dementia Conference in Saint Paul hosted by the Alzheimer’s Association and the Mayo Clinic. Participants were able to learn about strategies for caregiving, legal and financial planning, and cutting edge research provided by academic experts. One noteworthy keynote speaker, Dr. Mary Mittelman, shared her experiences as an epidemiologist who has been developing and evaluating psychosocial interventions for people with cognitive impairment and their family members for nearly three decades. Nearly 1,300 people attended the conference.
Alzheimer’s Day at the Capitol Rally
On Tuesday, March 29, the Alzheimer’s Association of Minnesota advocates held their “Rally Day” in Saint Paul at the Minnesota History Center. I had the honor of providing remarks and sharing information about HF 2806, a bill I am authoring to raise awareness of Alzheimer's and related dementias by declaring the Longest Day (the summer solstice) as Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Day. This year that date will be observed on June 20th. Communities are encouraged to fill the Longest Day of the year with activities to raise awareness of those who live with the disease and their caregivers, and highlight the need for funding for ongoing research. Alzheimer's is the sixth leading cause of death in our nation and there are currently no treatments to slow, stop, or prevent the disease. I look forward to working with interested community members to develop a day full of activities in Austin and surrounding communities on June 20.
Legislation heard in Committee
HF 3009 was heard today in the Aging and Long-Term Care Policy Committee and was successfully passed to the HHS Finance committee. HF 3009 creates a social, non-medical, community-based respite care program that would make it easier for families to provide care for loved ones with dementia. Some models already exist for this style of respite care. HF 3009 will encourage the expansion throughout the state by providing funds to the Area Agencies on Aging for distribution to grant recipients who will begin or expand these community-based respite programs. The bill has bipartisan support and I’m looking forward to it moving through the process.
Live Well at Home Grant Deadline - April 22, 2016
The Live Well at Home Grant, which is administered through the Minnesota Department of Human Services’ Aging and Adult Services Division, is seeking proposals from qualified candidates to help improve community-based services for individuals 65 or older. Grants are intended to stimulate innovation by providing one-time, start-up funds to test new approaches in housing and home and community-based services development, and to develop and support core home and community-based service providers. To apply, please visit this page.
If you are interested in learning more about Alzheimer's disease, I encourage you to go to this website www.alz.org/mnnd or for personal assistance, contact the 24/7 helpline at 1-800-272-3900.
Please feel free to contact me on any issue of interest or concern. I can be reached at 651-296-4193 or 888-682-3180 or by email at rep.jeanne.poppe@house.mn.
Sincerely,
Jeanne Poppe
State Representative