Recently, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed legislation that mandates licensed health care professionals who treat patients 26 years old and older must take at least an hour-long course on how to diagnose, treat, and care for patients with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. The curriculum within the course will focus on how to identify and diagnose Alzheimer’s, effective communication strategies, and management and care planning. The health care professional will need to take such a course once per their license renewal period.
Health care professionals that are impacted by this new legislation include: medical doctors, nurses, clinical psychologists, optometrists, physical therapists, physician assistants, clinical social workers, podiatrists, respiratory therapists, and speech language pathologists (among others).
The legislation is expected to help health care professions, including those who serve historically underserved communities, get the tools they need to continue medical education as well as expanding Alzheimer’s awareness.
The legislation takes effect on January 1, 2023 for all new licensees or registration renewals.
Illinois’ Focus on Alzheimer’s
In addition to this legislation, on the same day Governor Pritzker signed SB 677 into law, he also signed HB 848, which extends a special Alzheimer’s scratch-off ticket from January 1, 2022, to January 1, 2025. Sales from this special instant scratch-off ticket benefit Alzheimer’s care, support, education, and awareness in the state of Illinois.
Reactions from Illinois Politicians
Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton expressed her pleasure with the bill, noting that it “makes Illinois the first state in the nation to require Alzheimer’s diagnosis training for healthcare professionals. I know from personal experience this will improve the lives of people living with Alzheimer’s and their loved ones.”
“Diagnosing Alzheimer’s early is essential for receiving the best treatment possible,” said State Senator Ram Villivalam. “This new law will better enable healthcare professionals to identify and recommend resources for patients showing signs of dementia.”
“230,000 Illinois residents are living with Alzheimer’s disease,” said State Representative Kathleen Willis. “Early detection is key to treatment. By working with all healthcare professionals on increasing their training for early screening we hope to see better outcomes for families impacted by this disease. I am extremely proud to have worked with the Lt. Governor and the Alzheimer’s’ Association to pass SB 677.”