I sent emails to my state legislative officials, Representative Kurtis Gregory and Senator Sandy Crawford about our three legislative priorities:
2.
Continued Funding for the Structured Family Caregiver
Waiver. The Structured Family Caregiver
Act was signed into law in 2019 with an initial cap of 300 participants. This agency-directed
model helps families navigate the comprehensive and cost effective choices they
have to make for persons with dementia. The waiver was approved in February
2020 and funding for this program is included in House Bill 3010.
3.
Missouri Alzheimer’s State Plan Taskforce. In 2021, the Missouri General Assembly re-established
the Missouri Alzheimer’s State Plan Taskforce. The Taskforce assesses all state
programs that affect people with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. They update
and maintain an integrated state plan to overcome Alzheimer’s. We are asking
for an additional five months for the taskforce to produce its initial report
to the Governor and General Assembly.
None of
these programs are high dollar budget items, but can save the state billions in
Medicaid costs for expensive nursing
home placement. Family caregivers in Missouri provide free in-home care for
their loved ones valued at $4.3 billion.
Considering
that Alzheimer’s is the most expensive disease in America, I hope Missouri will
approve our asks to provide respite funds for caregivers who take on the
responsibility of caring for a loved one. We need to care for the caregivers!
The Structured Family Caregiver Act and the Alzheimer’s State Taskforce will
put our state on the right track to provide services necessary for the 120,000
Missourians with Alzheimer’s and their families. These programs are designed to
protect caregivers from emotional distress and financial ruin while keeping
loved ones with dementia at home as long as possible.
During
Memory Week, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft addressed the advocates. He talked
about his personal connection to Alzheimer’s disease. His maternal grandfather
had Alzheimer’s and his maternal grandmother was his primary caregiver. He
spoke about the Secretary of State Vulnerable Citizens Services Unit. Older
adults are often the target of scams. Affinity fraud is especially insidious.
Someone will infiltrate a church, temple, or civic organization with the sole
purpose of selling fraudulent investments. Avoiding fraud is as simple as ABC: Ask questions, Be
cautious, and Call the SOS office. The
hotline to report scams is (855) 653-7300.
Please
be vigilant of loved ones with dementia when it comes to scams, and be fearless
when it comes to taking action to stop anyone from taking advantage of them.
Copyright
© March 2022 by L.S. Fisher
http://earlyonset.blogspot.com
#ENDALZ
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