March 10, 2021 – Alzheimer’s disease training requirements for long-term care staff and an Alzheimer’s awareness campaign for health care providers were among the 2021 state legislative priorities announced by the Alzheimer’s Association Tuesday, March 9, in Tallahassee. The announcement came at a purple lighting ceremony on the steps of Florida’s Historic Capitol to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease.
Other legislative asks for the organization included the continuation of the Ed and Ethel Moore Alzheimer’s Disease Research Program, support for home and community-based services and programs through the Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative program and the Community Care for the Elderly program, as well as a continuation in funding for the Alzheimer’s Association Brain Bus.
“We are here to end Alzheimer’s together,” said Michelle Branham, vice president of public policy for the Florida region of the Alzheimer’s Association. “Each year, we join each other in this fight. … Each year, our voices get stronger, and stronger and stronger; and each year, more importantly, the legislators are listening purposefully and intentionally.
“In the years that I’ve been here, I used to have to explain what Alzheimer’s disease was,” she added, “and now I don’t have to do that at all because, unfortunately, those legislators and our leaders have those personal stories too.”
The event, which was livestreamed via social media, included statements from several of those legislators, including Rep. Cord Byrd, R-Neptune Beach; Rep. Michelle Salzman, R-Pensacola; Rep. Scott Plakon, R-Longwood; and Sen. Audrey Gibson, D-Jacksonville.
Gibson, in her pre-recorded remarks, noted: “We’ve made some great strides in Florida raising awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and advancing policy related to keeping Alzheimer’s disease a priority in this state, and I’m honored to have been a part of that. I’ve worked on several bills, including our Brain Bus bill that takes a mobile unit into underserved communities to make sure that they are aware of the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease, particularly in communities of color.”
Gibson also voiced her support for Alzheimer’s disease training standards for long-term care staff, which is the subject of a bill she recently introduced (Senate Bill 634).
“This year, I filed a bill that will help to create standards for all who come in contact and work with our Alzheimer’s disease sufferers, so that we have the latest information on how we take care of those dealing with this debilitating disease,” she said.
Additionally, Florida Department of Elder Affairs Secretary Richard Prudom was on hand to show his support and reflect on the efforts of Gov. Ron DeSantis and his administration to prioritize and address Alzheimer’s-related issues, including the launch of Project VITAL (Virtual Inclusive Technology for All) last spring.
“I think we recognize that since the pandemic began, it has been a constant, precarious balancing act between the need for life to go on but also to protect us from the adverse effects of the virus,” Prudom said. “What we didn’t know a year ago was the vital significance of mental health and well-being, and I think self-isolation and social distancing due to COVID (have) had a significant effect, especially on people living with dementia and their care partners.”
A joint initiative of the Alzheimer’s Association and the state of Florida, Project VITAL uses virtual technology, such as tablets, to help relieve the adverse effects of social isolation experienced by Florida’s seniors both at home and in long-term care communities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a pre-recorded statement of support, Florida’s First Lady Casey DeSantis also highlighted the success of the initiative, noting: “In addition to Florida’s proactive, seniors-first approach to vaccine distribution, our state remains at the forefront of mitigating the effects of isolation, including anxiety and depression, through this unique, statewide project. To that end, the governor and I look forward to seeing how Project VITAL continues to grow and assist other states as the rest of the nation work to adopt this program.”
Tuesday’s event marked the first of the Alzheimer’s Association’s 2021 state advocacy days, called the “Alzheimer’s Rally in Tally.” On Wednesday and Thursday, Alzheimer’s advocates from across the state will meet virtually with their legislators to share their perspectives on Florida’s approach to dementia education, support services, research and funding.
Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. More than 6 million Americans are currently battling the disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association’s “2021 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures” report, and Florida has the second-highest prevalence of the disease in the country with more than 580,000 diagnosed individuals.
For all those facing Alzheimer’s and other dementias, the Alzheimer’s Association offers around-the-clock support. For more information, visit www.alz.org or contact the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline at (800) 272-3900.
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. Visit alz.org or call (800) 272-3900.
