Dementia services proposals amended, advanced
Lawmakers gave first-round approval March 17 to a pair of bills related to dementia care training and coordination in Nebraska.
LB913, introduced by Sen. Dunixi Guerca of Omaha, would require the state Department of Health and Human Services to appoint a dementia services coordinator to link families caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia with supportive services and resources.
Among other responsibilities, the dementia services coordinator would:
• collect and monitor data related to the impact of dementia disorders on Nebraska residents;
• recommend strategies for service and resource coordination among agencies;
• increase awareness and create dementia-specific training to facilitate access to quality coordinated care in the most integrated setting;
• organize community stakeholders and resources to identify proactive and effective solutions;
• evaluate the needs of impacted individuals and their caregivers and identify services, legislation, resources, policies and funding required to address such needs through a state plan; and
• provide information, counseling, education and referral about services and programs, including safe, secure environments that support individuals and families dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia.
A Health and Human Services Committee amendment, adopted 33-0, would eliminate the bill’s non-specified deadline for the appointment of a dementia services coordinator.
Guereca said the measure seeks to clarify the responsibilities of the dementia services coordinator position created by passage of the 2023 state budget.
“By ensuring that the role of dementia services coordinator is being fulfilled as intended, we can ensure that those living with Alzheimer’s and their families and caregivers are receiving equitable access to information, resources and referrals to care statewide,” Guereca said.
LB913 advanced to select file on a 39-0 vote.
A measure considered by the Judiciary Committee to require training on dementia-related care for certain employees also advanced from general file.
LB1055, sponsored by Bennington Sen. Wendy DeBoer, would require DHHS adult protective service officials to complete at least one hour of training related to caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia prior to their first day of employment and once every five years thereafter.
Individuals currently working as adult protective service officials would be required to complete such training within 30 days of the bill’s enactment.
Under the proposal, the department also would be authorized to collaborate with a private nonprofit organization with expertise in working with individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia to provide training that includes information on:
• the most common types of abuse;
• recognizing psychiatric and behavioral symptoms;
• respectful and effective communication;
• techniques for understanding and approaching behavioral symptoms;
• alerting law enforcement agencies to potential neglect, exploitation or criminal behavior by a family member, caretaker or institution;
• methods of identifying incidents of self-neglect and caregiver neglect; and
• protocols for referring individuals to local care resources and professionals to encourage cross-referral.
DeBoer offered an amendment, adopted 32-0, that would remove the requirement for employees to complete dementia-related care training prior to their first day of employment, which she said would allow DHHS to offer such training during an employee’s typical onboarding process.
She said the bill as amended would provide the department with greater flexibility and ensure Nebraskans living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia have access to resources.
“Proper training of our [adult protective service] employees may help connect vulnerable adults to the resources and support they need,” DeBoer said.
Senators then advanced LB1055 to select file on a 33-0 vote.
