In 2007, the North Dakota legislature approved House Concurrent Resolution No. 3022 to study the current and future impact of Alzheimer’s disease within the state. The Dementia-Related Services — Background Memorandum was presented to the state’s Long-Term Care Committee in 2007. In 2020, funds were allocated to support an update of the state plan, allowing the state to convene a work group to conduct a current and comprehensive needs assessment and develop a new set of recommendations. A new plan was released in 2022, coinciding with the launch of data-focused Alzheimer’s/Dementia Dashboard on the North Dakota Department of Health’s website.  

Incorporate Dementia in Public Health Outreach

Alzheimer’s and other dementia are commonly mistaken as part of normal aging, causing many North Dakotans to wait too long before seeking a formal diagnosis. In particular, underserved communities across the country are less likely to have a diagnosis of dementia, despite being at higher risk for the disease. The Alzheimer’s Association is advocating for the Health Equity Division of the Department of Human Services to include Alzheimer’s and other dementia in special populations outreach to help reduce the stigma surrounding dementia and promote the value of early detection and diagnosis.