Alzheimer's Bill Passes State Senate, USA

Main Category: Alzheimer's / Dementia
Article Date: 28 Jul 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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Just 10 days before the close of the session, the State Senate voted unanimously to pass SB425, An Act Relative to Dementia Special Care Units in Long Term Care Facilities, sponsored by Senator Marc Pacheco. In short, the bill calls for established standards for any facility that has an "Alzheimer's Unit." This bill has been three years in the works, said Alzheimer's Association President/CEO James Wessler.

"We appreciate the Senate's vote today and we are working with the House. We are determined, that even with just ten days to go, we are going to make it happen. People are counting on this," said Wessler.

The people Wessler are referring to are the 120,000 in the Commonwealth with Alzheimer's, and an estimated 350,000 family members and friends who are directly affected. Some of their champions in the State Senate agreed it was time for regulation of this specialized care, and helped move the bill through. Among the strong advocates have been Senate President Therese Murray, Chair of Senate Ways and Means Stephen Pangiotakos, Chair of Elder Affairs Pat Jehlen, and Chair of Health Care Finance Richard Moore.

Though many facilities currently have special care units, quality is fragmented, according to the Alzheimer's Association. Of the roughly 400 nursing homes, about one third now have special units. Families who go through the process of placing a loved one in a nursing home have had no guarantees that specialized care will meet established standards. The Alzheimer's Association has been rallying citizen advocates to support the bill by contacting their senators and representatives. The House will now take up this legislation, sponsored by Peter Koutoujian, who chairs the Public Health Committee.

"We need this for Massachusetts families who are coping with Alzheimer's. We must have consistent nursing home standards to assure that people with Alzheimer's will receive quality care," Wessler said.

According to the Alzheimer's Association, some 10 million Baby Boomers will develop Alzheimer's if no cure is found. Alzheimer's is a fatal disease that affects about 50% of people over age 85, but can strike as young as 35.

The Alzheimer's Association is the largest voluntary health organization devoted to research and programs related to Alzheimer's. In Massachusetts, the Association has headquarters in Watertown, and offices in Springfield, Worcester, Lowell and Raynham. They offer free programs for families and people with the disease, support groups and a 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900. They are on the web at http://www.alz.org/MA.

Alzheimer's Association

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