State legislation creating the first minimum training standards for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia was signed into law by Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner last August. The Alzheimer’s and Dementia Services Act applies to any healthcare provider offering treatment for Alzheimer’s or related dementia.
The bill, an initiative of the Alzheimer’s Association, was sponsored by State Rep. Deb Conroy of Villa Park and State Sen. Dave Koehler of Peoria. “This measure cracks down on deceptive advertising claims made by healthcare providers that they simply cannot deliver on,” says Jen Belkov, Vice President of Public Policy for the Alzheimer’s Association, Illinois Chapter.
With more than 220,000 Illinois residents living with Alzheimer’s and an estimated 260,000 state residents anticipated to live with the disease by 2025, Sen. Koehler says the law is a strong step toward improved patient care. “More Illinoisans than ever before are going to need special care for Alzheimer’s and dementia in the years ahead. Adopting these standards holds programs accountable for how well they’re able to care for our family members,” he explains. “This will give our senior citizens and their families certainty as they make important health choices.”
