Rhode Island State Plan for Addressing Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias

It began with an idea.  In 2009, the bipartisan Alzheimer's Study Group, co-chaired by former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and former Senator Bob Kerrey, released its final report.  Among the recommendations was a call for better coordination among federal agencies and a national strategy for how to move forward in addressing the crisis of Alzheimer's disease.  On January 2, 2011, President Obama signed the National Alzheimer's Project Act (NAPA) into law.

But creating a law called for a National Alzheimer's Plan didn't actually get us a plan.  So the Alzheimer's Association began a campaign to turn the Act into Action. That campaign was focused on ensuring that those who have been affected by this devastating disease - individuals with the disease, their family members, their caregivers, their loved ones - as well as Alzheimer's researchers and other interested Americans would have input on what needed to be in a national plan.  The Alzheimer's Association held over 130 public input sessions around the country, hosted a national tele-town hall meeting and created a website to gather written comments. In all 43,000 Americans participated in this process and their comments were compiled and presented to those writing the Plan.  Rhode Island is now working on a State Plan to address Alzheimer's Disease.  To date, 25 states have published state plans.

In June of this year, the Rhode Island General Assembly passed a joint resolution to create a task force to come up with a State Plan and recommendations for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.  Thousands of Rhode Islander advocates let the State House know how critically we need a coordinated strategic state Alzheimer's and related Dementias plan.  On June 30, 2012, the joint resolution was passed.  The Lieutenant Governor's Long-Term Care Coordinating Council (LTCCC) along with the Rhode Island Division of Elderly Affairs in its efforts to design and develop a State Plan on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias convened a task force on July 1, 2012.  This task force is charged with providing guidance and oversight for the development of a plan to help stat policymakers and stakeholders better understand what the estimated increase in people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias will need in order to meet those needs with a corresponding increase in resources, including caregivers, specialized care units, research, workforce, respite services, education and transportation. The following subcommittees have been created: Caregivers, Workforce, Access, Long Term Care, Research and Legal. There will also be state wide listening sessions during November and December (see chart).

  Subcommittee Meetings:

2013 Alzheimer's Listening Sessions:

The State of Rhode Island is taking action to confront Alzheimer's Disease - an related disorders, affecting more families every day. In two Listening Sessions, care-givers, healthcare providers, family members and anyone impacted by the disease is invited to tell their story and provide vital input toward a comprehensive state plan to address this important issue.

R.S.V. P. to info@ltgov.ri.gov or call 401-222-2371.  Click here for flyer on the two listening sessions below.

Town	Location	Date & Time
Central Falls	Progreso Latino 626 Broad Street	Tuesday, February 19th - 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Providence	Dorcas International Institute 645 Elmwood Avenue	Thursday, February 28th - 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM

Hosted by the Office of Lt. Governor, Division of Elderly Affairs & Alzheimer's Association RI Chapter. For more information call 401-222-2371, email info@ltgov.state.ri.us or visit www.ltgov.state.ri.us/alz