Porter dementia care specialist program bill passes out of committee

Today, a bill authored by Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) passed out of the House Public Health Committee by a vote of 13-0. House Bill 1422 would establish a dementia care specialist program within each Area Agency on Aging in Indiana to better spot and treat Alzheimer's and dementia early and connect those with the disease to appropriate health care providers and support services.

“We all know or have a loved one with Alzheimer's and dementia, myself included. Our loved ones deserve the best quality of care we can get them from the moment we realize they are at risk of this disease, but that can be hard to access. My bill would allow 15 area agencies on aging to employ a dementia care specialist to make early, critical interventions, help individuals stay in their homes and result in better quality of life at every stage of Alzheimer's and dementia. I will continue advocating for this bill as it moves through the legislative process.”