Porter receives award for dementia advocacy, legislation

State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) was honored for his dementia and Alzheimer's advocacy with the annual Dementia Friends Indiana Advocate Award from CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions, Central Indiana's Area Agency on Aging.

This year, he authored House Enrolled Act 1422, which will establish a dementia care specialist program within each Area Agency on Aging in Indiana to treat Alzheimer's and dementia in its earliest forms. Affected individuals with the disease will be connected to appropriate health care providers and support services.

“As a caregiver for my mother, I understand how difficult it can be to get your loved one the care and support they need after a dementia or Alzheimer's diagnosis,” Porter said. “I am grateful to be honored by CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions for my work on House Enrolled Act 1422 this year. Indiana's elderly population is expected to grow in the coming years, and with it, the number of Hoosiers with dementia or Alzheimer's will also grow. My hope is that equipping each Area Agency on Aging with a dementia care specialist will make progress toward caring for every Hoosier with the disease properly in the coming decades. I will continue looking for ways to support our elderly Hoosiers and the professionals and loved ones who care for them.”