Tennessee Legislators Move Forward With Alzheimer Respite Care Program
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The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –
Tennessee state legislators are considering a bill that would provide respite care for individuals who serve as caregivers for family members with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
House Bill 1686, also referred to as the Colonel Thomas G. Bowden Memorial Act, would create a three-year pilot program that would give respite care for Tennessee residents who are living with Alzheimer’s or dementia. The professional care would allow caregivers to handle needs of their own with the assurance that their loved one was being properly taken care of.
The bill was introduced in January by Representative Ryan Williams (R-Cookeville-District 42).
“For me, it’s very personal as my grandmother on my mom’s side struggled with Alzheimer’s for more than 10 years,” said Williams. “She passed away 16 months ago. The family is the one that bears the brunt of the care.”
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The plan is for the program to cover care for up to 150 participating families. The legislation would exclude those who are eligible for long-term services through TennCare, and priority will be given to individuals who are currently waiting on approval for state-funded care. Services would be provided on a sliding fee schedule.
Laura Musgrave, guest columnist for the Tennessean and a family member of an individual with dementia, stated, “This is not just helpful to families emotionally and physically but also crucial to families and the state financially. Long term care costs typically range from $6,000 to $10,000 a month with the state shouldering the costs for about 60% of individuals living in our state’s nursing homes.”
The bill has been recommended for passage by both the House Health Committee and Government Operations Committee. It has now been referred to the House Finance, Ways, and Means Committee but has not yet been given a date on that calendar.
The companion Senate Bill 1749 is sponsored by Senator Shane Reeves (R-District 14). It has been recommended for passage by the Senate Health and Welfare Committee and was referred to the Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee in late February.
An amendment was added that would clarify court procedures for disputes regarding program approvals.
Senator Reeves made mention of the bill on his Facebook page, posting, “We must always take care of our vulnerable communities.”
If the legislation is passed, it would begin in January of 2023 and would last for three years. The state would reevaluate the program with the possibility of continuance at that time.
About the Author: Jason Vaughn, Media Coordinator for The Tennessee Conservative ~ Jason previously worked for a legacy publishing company based in Crossville, TN in a variety of roles through his career. Most recently, he served as Deputy Director for their flagship publication. Prior, he was a freelance journalist writing articles that appeared in the Herald Citizen, the Crossville Chronicle and The Oracle among others. He graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor’s in English-Journalism, with minors in Broadcast Journalism and History. Contact Jason at news@TennesseeConservativeNews.com
