Disaster preparedness must include long-term care residents, people with dementia, Alzheimer’s Association tells senators

by Kimberly Bonvissuto

Older adults, including those living with dementia and long-term care residents, should be part of disaster preparedness efforts, the Alzheimer’s Association and its advocacy affiliate, the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement, told members of the US Senate Special Committee on Aging in comments submitted in response to the committee’s May 14 hearing on disaster preparedness and the unique related challenges facing older adults.

The organizations said that it is important to address the challenges that face people living with dementia and those providing care for them during public health emergencies. They offered several recommendations.

Specifically, the organizations called for improved response coordination and recommended that each state designate a specific point person on long-term care issues to liaise with the federal government during a crisis. 

“Oversight for separate long-term care settings falls to different federal and state agencies, which can make it difficult to coordinate efficiently during a public health emergency,” the statement read, adding that a point person would provide a more coordinated, tailored response to long-term care communities.

The organizations also called for public health preparedness and response targeted toward people living with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers. Many state public health departments lack the expertise to address this population, which became evident during the COVID-19 pandemic emergency response, according to the groups. Public health agencies should seek input from people living with dementia, caregivers and experts on cognitive impairment, according to the recommendations.

The groups added that emergency responders and shelter staff members also would benefit from specific training on the signs and symptoms of dementia and other cognitive impairments. In addition, they said, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention should have a gerontologist or geriatrician within the infectious disease national centers to communicate on emergency preparedness and response.

“This will help ensure readiness in how to respond to the unique needs of seniors and people with Alzheimer’s and other dementia when a new threat arises,” the statement read.

As a result of emergencies, disasters and crises, care transitions can be difficult for people living with dementia, the Alzheimer’s Association and AIM said. Therefore, the groups support the expansion of telehealth access — as well as the expansion of Medicare and Medicaid coverage for telehealth services — to allow people living with dementia to avoid unnecessary travel that could further compromise their physical health, as well as help caregivers managing medical needs or behaviors.

Finally, the organizations said they support the ability of nurse practitioners and physician assistants to order Medicaid home health services.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 27% of older adults with Alzheimer’s or other dementias who have Medicare also have Medicaid coverage, compared with 11% of individuals without dementia.  

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Disaster preparedness must include long-term care residents, people with dementia, Alzheimer’s Association tells senators