Dementia Training for Healthcare Providers Now Law!

Nearly 1 million Illinois residents are directly effected by Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia, but fewer than half ever receive a diagnosis. Receiving a diagnosis is the critical first step in an Alzheimer’s journey: it allows one to plan for the future, participate in clinical trials, and access vital resources.

A diagnosis for my mother meant this, but importantly and immediately, it also answered her confusion about her lapses of memory, skills and judgment. The diagnosis is daunting, of course, as there is currently no cure, but having a diagnosis opens the door to understanding and help.
Fortunately, Illinois is leading the way in improving diagnosis rates. Thanks to the support of Governor JB Pritzker, Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton, and State Representative Greg Harris, Senate Bill 677 was recently signed into law. This law ensures that Illinois doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals who see adult patients will have at least one hour of training about dementia as part of their existing continuing education requirements. This will allow them to better support their patients by making an Alzheimer’s diagnosis or referral.
Illinois has taken a major step forward in making our healthcare system more responsive to people living with dementia, and to those who care for and about them. Please join me in celebrating this huge victory and thanking all our leaders, including Representative Harris, for making this happen.