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Nevada bill would create dementia care specialists and a Memory Network to improve diagnosis and navigation
Summary
Assembly Bill 337 would establish dementia care specialists, create the Nevada Memory Network for earlier diagnosis and care coordination, and fund dementia navigation and clinic hubs; sponsors said the measure aims to expand access and reduce long-term costs, proponents emphasized caregiver support and rural reach.
Carson City — Assembly Bill 337, presented March 17 by Assemblyman Yui Wyn (Vice Chair Nguyen presented) and the Alzheimer's Association, would create a dementia care specialist program and a Nevada Memory Network intended to improve early detection, diagnosis and ongoing care coordination for people living with dementia.
The bill would establish (1) a dementia care specialist program modeled on Wisconsin’s program to train lay specialists in social-service roles to help families and caregivers navigate care and crisis response, and (2) a Nevada Memory Network to create memory-assessment clinics — hubs — that tie primary care, specialists, and navigators together for timely diagnosis and treatment.
Why this matters: Supporters said earlier and more consistent diagnosis paired with navigation services can reduce costs, improve access to new treatments for eligible patients and ease caregiver burdens. The Alzheimer’s Association, AARP Nevada, UNR, UNLV, Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health and other clinical and nonprofit partners testified in favor; no organized opposition testified at the hearing.
Details of the program - Dementia care specialists: The bill would fund trained, social-service–oriented specialists located within community organizations (analogous to aging and disability resource centers) who would provide care navigation, crisis intervention, family support, and referrals. Cheyenne Pasquale described the role: “The dementia care specialists are lay people… more social service based… preferably have a master's degree, or equivalent experience, and experience working with individuals that have a diagnosis of dementia.” - Nevada Memory Network: The network would create memory-assessment clinics/hubs that use standardized cognitive screening (for example, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, MoCA) and link primary-care providers with neurologists and specialty centers for diagnosis and treatment. Benjamin Chalinoire of the Alzheimer’s Association said earlier diagnosis is increasingly important because “we actually have 2 treatments available for Alzheimer's” but patients must be identified and diagnosed to access appropriate therapies. - Workforce and training: The bill funds training for primary-care providers and other clinicians to improve early recognition and referral pathways.
Testimony and evidence Supporters included statewide advocacy organizations and clinical centers. AARP Nevada’s state advocacy director, Jessica Padron, said the program “will offer crisis intervention and proactive support,” and emphasized the bill’s role in promoting culturally competent services and workforce development. UNR and UNLV representatives and the Lou Ruvo Center described existing local programs and research capacity that could serve as clinic hubs.
Scope and access concerns Proponents said roughly half of Nevada residents with dementia lack a formal diagnosis. Benjamin Chalinoire testified that about 55,000 Nevadans were estimated to be living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias in 2020 and that caregivers provide large unpaid contributions to care. Committee members asked whether the memorandum's language should allow other institutions beyond UNR and UNLV to participate; sponsors agreed to consider permissive language to expand eligibility as the program grows.
Process notes Committee members questioned screening protocols and whether assessments would be for symptomatic individuals or universal screening; sponsors clarified the emphasis on provider training and assessments initiated for symptomatic patients or those identified during annual wellness visits.
Ending note No opposition voices were recorded at the hearing. Sponsors said they would work with the committee on minor drafting changes and the bill moved from the hearing with stakeholder support and requests for technical amendments.
