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Bill would require dementia-specific training for state long-term care ombudsmen
Summary
Senate Bill 88 would add required dementia-specific training topics to the State Long Term Care Ombudsman program. Supporters — including the Alzheimer's Association, providers and several family members — said the training is low-cost or free and would improve advocates' ability to identify and act on problems affecting residents with dementia.
The House Health and Human Services Committee received testimony on Senate Bill 88, which would amend KSA 75-7306 to require the state long-term care ombudsman and regional ombudsmen to receive training in dementia care and related topics.
Revisor Carly described the bill as amending the statute that sets out the ombudsman’s powers and duties, and listed required training topics including “understanding the warning signs of [dementia], person-centered dementia care, effective communication with such residents, recognizing behavioral symptoms and alternatives to restraints,” and protocols for connecting residents to local care resources. Carly said the bill passed the Senate 40-0 and would take effect July 1, 2025, upon publication.
Jamie Gideon, Kansas director of public policy for the Alzheimer’s Association, said the bill fills training gaps that can occur when a new ombudsman is appointed and that the curriculum the association provides is consistent with the proposed topics. Gideon said there is no cost for the training as organizations (including the Alzheimer’s Association and KDADS) have agreed to provide it for free, and added the Association’s basic online module
