In July 2007, the Tennessee General Assembly established the Tennessee Alzheimer’s Disease Task Force to assess the current and future impact of Alzheimer’s disease in Tennessee, examine services and resources, and draft a state strategy to respond to Alzheimer’s within the state. The Task Force included representatives from long-term care organizations, adult day providers, physician groups, community organizations, state agencies, caregivers, individuals living with the disease and state legislators. In February 2009, the Task Force published the Tennessee Alzheimer’s Disease Task Force Final Report.

In May of 2019, the Tennessee General Assembly enacted Senate Bill 28 (Public Chapter No. 364) establishing the Tennessee Alzheimer’s Disease Advisory Council. In January 2020, the Advisory Council published the updated Alzheimer’s and Related Dementia State Plan.

Ensure Full Access to the Dementia Respite Care Program 

The Colonel Thomas G. Bowden Memorial Act is an important first-step in providing support to dementia family caregivers in Tennessee. The state is currently in the first year of the three-year pilot program called the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Respite Care Program. As the state has begun implementation of this program, a number of issues have arisen that need to be addressed to ensure Tennessee family caregivers have full access to this important resource. The Alzheimer’s Association is urging state lawmakers to clarify the definition of respite care, specify that the rate paid to providers is the most current rate, and address the ambiguity regarding the need for a formal dementia diagnosis to participate in the program.