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Alzheimer’s Association outlines dementia care contract, says services reduce costs and help caregivers
Summary
Melanie Gaby, North Dakota policy director for the Minnesota‑North Dakota chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, testified in support of continued funding for the dementia care services contract. The association provided counts of education, care consultations and professional trainings that its staff delivered under the contract period.
Melanie Gaby, North Dakota policy director for the Minnesota‑North Dakota chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, told the committee the association’s statewide contract provides dementia care consultations, education and training and links people and caregivers to services.
Gaby said the dementia care services program began in 2010 as a state‑funded contract and remains a state partner with Adult and Aging Services. "We have 8 staff who provide programs and support to North Dakota residents impacted by Alzheimer's and other dementia and their caregivers," she told the committee.
Why it matters: The association said its services help caregivers plan, obtain legal documents and manage care; the group urged continued funding in House Bill 1012. Gaby said active dementia management can improve quality of life and reduce higher‑cost care demands.
Contract activity the association reported for the current contract cycle (July 1, 2023–Dec. 31, 2024): - roughly 2,000 care consultations and information referrals delivered; about 1,200 unique caregivers assisted and roughly 700 people living with dementia supported (the testimony highlighted 17 veterans among those served), - nearly 3,000 community members received education across the state, - 110 law‑enforcement personnel and 818 healthcare professionals trained (testimony cited both figures), - 57 people were referred to the Aging and Disability Resource Link for other services.
Gaby said dementia care services support family caregivers and community providers and stressed a workforce gap in geriatrics: the association’s materials the witness supplied show that meeting projected geriatrician demand by 2050 would require large percentage increases in specialists.
Ending: Gaby asked the committee to maintain contract funding for the dementia care services program in the governor’s recommended budget and answered lawmakers’ questions about association fundraising (which the witness said primarily supports research and national programs, while state funds purchase the contract services described to the committee).
