Advocates Push For Dementia Protection Bills

Advocates are pushing for two proposals that would offer more protections for people living with dementia.

Members of the Indiana chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association made their case Monday at the Statehouse.

One bill, Senate Bill 249, would make it easier to charge someone with a felony for financial exploitation. According to current law, financial exploitation must be committed against someone age 60 years or older and reach $10,000 before automatically charged as a felony. The new bill would lower the amount to $750 and remove the age restriction.

Another, Senate Bill 265, would expand Indiana’s Medicaid Advisory Committee to include a member to represent individuals living with dementia.  

Jason Barrett is the director of public policy for the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Indiana Chapter. He says these bills are necessary to protect seniors and ensure dementia is a focus at the state level.  

“We just want to make sure that we have policies we can put forward that will lower the costs both to the state Medicaid budget and the out of pocket expenses of families, but do that while improving the care and support offered to those living with the disease,” Barrett says.

Both bills have been introduced into this year’s legislative session. 

Contact Darian at dbenson@wfyi.org or follow her on Twitter at @helloimdarian.