Georgia Alzheimer’s & Related Dementias (GARD) GARD Coordinator Georgia Alzheimer’s & Related Dementias (GARD) Victoria Helmly, DHS Division of Aging Services Amanda James, Georgia Gerontology Society

Why a State Plan? In Georgia:140,000 with dementia and expected to reach 190,000 by 2025 In U.S.: Over 5 million, may reach 16 million by 2050 Population aging, highest risk factor is age The cost of care: estimated $259 billion in 2017 Medicare accounts for over half of this cost In Georgia: over 12% age 45+ reported they are experiencing confusion or memory loss that is happening more or is getting worse (2013) Over 72% of those people have not talked to a health care provider about this Division of Aging Services 8/9/2017

History & Timeline of GARD Years of discussion and planning before plan was developed National Plan (NAPA) as a model (signed into law in 2011) Six advisory council members + over 65 advisors worked together Signed by Governor Deal in 2014 Task Force  Advisory Council Creation of work groups Movement in Georgia General Assembly in 2008-2009. Senator Don Thomas introduced SR 257 creating a task force, however no movement was made. In 2012, Senators Orrock and Unterman met to discuss need for State Plan. Alz Assoc GA Chapter kept stakeholders up to date and asked for input from stakeholders and public for a state plan. In 2013, SB14 passed House and Senate and created the Task Force. 2014: work groups formed with first Gard advisors meeting August of 2014. Division of Aging Services 8/9/2017

Role of Coordinator Initial role: organize and revitalize work groups Communicate between work groups Expand the reach of work groups Produce reports, ensure updates are communicated Goals Bring in more people from other parts of GA Expand the goals and objectives of GARD Help groups reach short-term and long-term goals Division of Aging Services 8/9/2017

Current Work Groups Workforce Development Service Delivery Assess needs of workforce, increase/improve worker education/training Service Delivery Improve/enhance services Healthcare, Research, & Data Collection Assess research gaps/needs, improve/increase data Public Safety Reduce injury & prevent abuse, neglect, exploitation Outreach & Partnerships Public awareness, collaborate resources and create partnerships Policy Work through policy ideas of work groups and how to accomplish/implement Division of Aging Services 8/9/2017

Service Delivery/Workforce Development Project Goals for work groups as stated in GARD Plan Current projects of work groups Competency-based dementia education for DCW Person-centered education for physicians Need to identify: Gaps in training Barriers to training Areas covered in current training Next steps and solutions Division of Aging Services 8/9/2017

Looking Ahead Georgia Dementia Summit in November 2017 Focus on shorter-term goals and targeted efforts Increase and expand work group membership Structure and process improvements Division of Aging Services 8/9/2017

Georgia Dementia Summit Tue, November 28, 2017 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM Navicent Health 877 Hemlock Street Macon, GA 31201 Look for Registration Info after August 15, 2017 Division of Aging Services 8/9/2017

Georgia Dementia Summit The 2017 Georgia Dementia Summit will convene multidisciplinary stakeholders in medicine, research, social services, and policy around the care and support for Georgians living with dementia and their care partners. The work of the GARD State Plan Advisory group will be highlighted at the summit as we invite continued collaboration on shared goals and vision for a more dementia capable Georgia. The aim of this summit is to bring different sectors together to work toward a collective action plan and encourage commitment to a shared vision. Division of Aging Services 8/9/2017

GARD Service Delivery Survey We are asking providers to share with us what their current organization does in regards to dementia specific training.  We will use this information to determine the best way to introduce unified, core competencies for dementia training in specific settings in Georgia. We will also use this information to determine barriers to training. Later this year, GGS will be requesting proposals for mini-grants addressing these barriers to training. Division of Aging Services 8/9/2017

Victoria Helmly, GARD Coordinator Victoria.Helmly@dhs.ga.gov Contact Victoria Helmly, GARD Coordinator Victoria.Helmly@dhs.ga.gov 404-657-5275 Amanda James, GGS Executive Director administrator@georgiagerontologysociety.org 404-780-3380 Division of Aging Services 8/9/2017