Thanks to your willingness to share your story and be an advocate for people living with Alzheimer's and other dementia, we are making progress in South Dakota! From our "sea of purple" at State Advocacy Day, to writing and calling legislators, your voice is being heard.
1) Investment in innovative technology focused on improving care for the elderly
SB 80 invested $2 million in innovative technology for Medicaid providers who primarily serve the elderly. We advocated to make sure home and community-based providers like adult day programs, community living homes, and others were included in this legislation. South Dakota Public Broadcasting recently covered one example of the benefits of technology for people living with dementia
here.
2) Improved access to home and community-based services through Dakota at Home
SB 46 improves communication between home and community-based providers and the State to ensure people who need services are getting them. This comes after the news that Dakota at Home has added cognitive impairment questions to their intake process to better serve South Dakotans living with dementia.
3) South Dakota Medicaid now covers Cognitive Assessments and Care Planning
If you are on
Medicare (traditionally, over 65), Cognitive Assessments and Care Planning are a covered service. However, if you are not yet on Medicare and instead have
Medicaid (under 65), this service has not been covered...until now! This new coverage will ensure the small, but important number of South Dakotans who are low-income and have younger-onset dementia concerns will be able to know this service is covered.
4) One step closer to using the PACE model
HB 1016 was tabled when the Department of Human Services agreed to pay for a PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) feasibility study using existing dollars in their budget. The PACE model surrounds a person in the program with all of their care needs in a coordinated way. Nationally, around half of these programs' participants are living with dementia.
5) Statewide Alzheimer's planning and coalition-building is underway
The South Dakota Department of Health was selected to receive a federal BOLD grant of $5 million to invest in building a statewide Alzheimer's coalition, conduct a needs assessment, and develop a state plan. Work is already underway!
Learn more about being a volunteer advocate with the Alzheimer's Association in South Dakota by contacting
Thomas Elness, Director of Public Policy with the South Dakota Chapter.
Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association leads the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia.™ For more information, visit www.alz.org or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.