Creates programs related to dementia. (BDR 38-456)

Existing law requires the Aging and Disability Services Division of the Department of Health and Human Services to establish and administer a program to provide the community-based services necessary to enable a frail elderly person to remain in his or her home and avoid being placed in a facility for long-term care. (NRS 427A.250) Existing law also authorizes the Division to establish and administer a program of all-inclusive care for the elderly. (NRS 427A.255) Section 1 of this bill requires the Division to establish and administer a program for dementia care specialists in this State. Section 1 requires the goals of the program to include: (1) developing and providing certain crisis intervention services for persons with dementia and their families and caregivers; (2) proactively supporting persons with dementia and their families and caregivers; and (3) providing access to the program through translation and interpretation services for persons with dementia and their families and caregivers where such persons have limited English proficiency. Within the limits of legislative appropriations and any other money available for this purpose, section 1 requires the Division to: (1) prepare requests for proposals for the provision of services by dementia care specialists employed by local governmental agencies or nonprofit organizations to carry out the program; and (2) partner or contract with an appropriate educational organization to provide training to dementia care specialists and evaluate the program. Existing law creates the Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease within the Department of Health and Human Services and requires the Task Force to develop a state plan to address Alzheimer's disease. (NRS 439.508-439.5085) Section 2 of this bill authorizes the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, School of Medicine and the University of Nevada, Reno, School of Medicine, in collaboration with the Department, to establish the Nevada Memory Network as a system for the early detection and diagnosis of dementia and the ongoing management of care for patients with dementia. If the Network is established, section 2 requires the Universities and the Department to establish clinics, or contract with clinics who meet certain criteria, in order to: (1) train providers of primary care in screening for and treating dementia; (2) diagnose dementia in patients referred to such clinics; and (3) create plans of care for patients with dementia, using telehealth when appropriate, in order to provide such services. Section 2 requires the Network, if established, to: (1) employ or contract with community health workers who specialize in dementia care for the provision of certain services; and (2) contract with community-based organizations for the provision of certain other services, including crisis intervention and support services for persons diagnosed with dementia and their families and caregivers.