Indiana State Alzheimer’s Plan Overview
In July 2011, Governor Mitch Daniels appointed the Governor’s Task Force on Alzheimer’s Disease to develop Indiana’s plan to address Alzheimer's disease. The Task Force included representatives from state agencies, nonprofit organizations, care provider agencies as well as state legislators, researchers, issue experts, caregivers, and health care providers. Following public input sessions, the Task Force published the Indiana Plan for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias 2013-2017. In 2021, following advocacy by the Alzheimer's Association, state lawmakers enacted HB 1177 (Public Law 36 of 2021) requiring an updated state Alzheimer’s plan that includes a comprehensive needs assessment and ensures a focus on key priorities including early detection and diagnosis; strengthening the dementia care workforce; increasing access to home and community-based services; and improving quality of care. The plan was released in December of 2021.
Indiana 2024 Policy Priorities
Improve Access to Biomarker Testing
With the historic Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of treatments that slow the progression of Alzheimer’s in the early stages, early detection and diagnosis is even more critical to ensure individuals receive the most benefit at the earliest point possible. Biomarkers offer one of the most promising paths to improve dementia detection, diagnosis and treatment. Yet these critical tests remain out of reach for many as insurance coverage is failing to keep pace with innovations and advancements in treatments. The Alzheimer’s Association is urging state lawmakers to expand insurance coverage of comprehensive biomarker testing. Without this legislation, dementia diagnoses may take up to two years, increasing the long-term costs to the individual, family and the state.
Spread Awareness of Dementia Across Indiana
Over 121,000 Hoosiers are living with Alzheimer’s, but as many as half of them are not formally diagnosed. An early and accurate diagnosis of dementia can improve access to care and support services, enhance quality of life and reduce the financial impact of the disease. However, Hoosiers need access to information on risk reduction strategies, obtaining a timely diagnosis and care planning. The Alzheimer’s Association is calling on state lawmakers to support legislation authorizing the Department of Health to incorporate information on Alzheimer’s and other dementia into existing public health campaigns, materials and messaging to health care providers.
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Find My Chapter
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121,300
people living with Alzheimer’s in Indiana
216,000
Hoosiers are providing unpaid care
$1.1 Billion
Medicaid cost of caring for people living with Alzheimer’s (2020)
2,238
deaths from Alzheimer’s in 2021
17%
in hospice with a primary diagnosis of dementia
353.0%
increase of geriatricians in Indiana needed to meet the demand in 2050
Resources to Drive Change in Indiana
The following resources developed by AIM and the Alzheimer’s Association will help you learn more about the issues impacting people living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers, how Indiana policymakers are addressing these gaps, and how you can help drive change.