More than 120,000 Tennesseans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, state lawmakers are considering bills to create an advisory council to address the crisis.
AARP Tennessee and the Alzheimer’s Association back the idea of a state council to examine the industries, services and resources available to seniors and families living with memory-loss disorders. Last year, Alzheimer’s care and treatment cost Tennessee close to $1 billion, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
The bills would charge the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability with priorities such as increasing early detection and diagnosis of memory-care issues, educating health-care providers and monitoring state agencies. The goal is to help coordinate efforts between advocacy groups and government agencies.