In 2003, the Michigan Dementia Plan Steering Committee released the state’s first Dementia Plan in partnership with the Department of Community Health. The Committee, which was composed of state agency, academic and advocacy organizations, and health care providers gathered significant stakeholder feedback to issue recommendations around public health, dementia training, caregiver support and access to home- and community-based services (HCBS). The Michigan Dementia Coalition — a collaborative group of community agencies, universities, dementia caregivers, and state government officials concerned about dementia and related conditions — led the development of the Michigan Dementia Plan Update: 2009-2011 and the 2019-2022 Roadmap for Creating a Dementia Capable Michigan. The recent Roadmap calls for increased access to HCBS, support for caregivers and an increase in the number of geriatricians practicing in the state.

Ensure Equal Protections for People Living with Dementia 

People living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia are among our most vulnerable residents, and they often rely on state laws and regulations to ensure their protection, comfort and safety. Many of these laws and regulations were created before there was a full understanding of the devastating impact of dementia, and therefore do not include dementia-competent procedures that ensure better outcomes. The Alzheimer’s Association is advocating for legislation that will ensure people living with dementia are treated equally to those with other chronic conditions, and that a dementia diagnosis does not lead to unexpected and unequal protections under the law.