1. Georgia Alzheimer’s & Related Dementias (GARD)
GARD Coordinator
Georgia Alzheimer’s & Related Dementias (GARD)
Victoria Helmly, DHS Division of Aging Services
Amanda James, Georgia Gerontology Society

2. Why a State Plan?
In Georgia:140,000 with dementia and expected to reach 190,000 by 2025
In U.S.: Over 5 million, may reach 16 million by 2050
Population aging, highest risk factor is age
The cost of care: estimated $259 billion in 2017
Medicare accounts for over half of this cost
In Georgia: over 12% age 45+ reported they are experiencing confusion or memory loss that is happening more or is getting worse (2013)
Over 72% of those people have not talked to a health care provider about this
Division of Aging Services
8/9/2017

3. History & Timeline of GARD
Years of discussion and planning before plan was developed
National Plan (NAPA) as a model (signed into law in 2011)
Six advisory council members + over 65 advisors worked together
Signed by Governor Deal in 2014
Task Force  Advisory Council
Creation of work groups
Movement in Georgia General Assembly in Senator Don Thomas introduced SR 257 creating a task force, however no movement was made. In 2012, Senators Orrock and Unterman met to discuss need for State Plan. Alz Assoc GA Chapter kept stakeholders up to date and asked for input from stakeholders and public for a state plan. In 2013, SB14 passed House and Senate and created the Task Force. 2014: work groups formed with first Gard advisors meeting August of 2014.
Division of Aging Services
8/9/2017

4. Role of Coordinator Initial role: organize and revitalize work groups
Communicate between work groups
Expand the reach of work groups
Produce reports, ensure updates are communicated
Goals
Bring in more people from other parts of GA
Expand the goals and objectives of GARD
Help groups reach short-term and long-term goals
Division of Aging Services
8/9/2017

5. Current Work Groups Workforce Development Service Delivery
Assess needs of workforce, increase/improve worker education/training
Service Delivery
Improve/enhance services
Healthcare, Research, & Data Collection
Assess research gaps/needs, improve/increase data
Public Safety
Reduce injury & prevent abuse, neglect, exploitation
Outreach & Partnerships
Public awareness, collaborate resources and create partnerships
Policy
Work through policy ideas of work groups and how to accomplish/implement
Division of Aging Services
8/9/2017

6. Service Delivery/Workforce Development Project
Goals for work groups as stated in GARD Plan
Current projects of work groups
Competency-based dementia education for DCW
Person-centered education for physicians
Need to identify:
Gaps in training
Barriers to training
Areas covered in current training
Next steps and solutions
Division of Aging Services
8/9/2017

7. Looking Ahead Georgia Dementia Summit in November 2017
Focus on shorter-term goals and targeted efforts
Increase and expand work group membership
Structure and process improvements
Division of Aging Services
8/9/2017

8. Georgia Dementia Summit
Tue, November 28, 2017
8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Navicent Health
877 Hemlock Street
Macon, GA 31201
Look for Registration Info after August 15, 2017
Division of Aging Services
8/9/2017

9. Georgia Dementia Summit
The 2017 Georgia Dementia Summit will convene multidisciplinary stakeholders in medicine, research, social services, and policy around the care and support for Georgians living with dementia and their care partners.
The work of the GARD State Plan Advisory group will be highlighted at the summit as we invite continued collaboration on shared goals and vision for a more dementia capable Georgia.
The aim of this summit is to bring different sectors together to work toward a collective action plan and encourage commitment to a shared vision.
Division of Aging Services
8/9/2017

10. GARD Service Delivery Survey
We are asking providers to share with us what their current organization does in regards to dementia specific training.  We will use this information to determine the best way to introduce unified, core competencies for dementia training in specific settings in Georgia.
We will also use this information to determine barriers to training.
Later this year, GGS will be requesting proposals for mini-grants addressing these barriers to training.
Division of Aging Services
8/9/2017

11. Victoria Helmly, GARD Coordinator Victoria.Helmly@dhs.ga.gov
Contact
Victoria Helmly, GARD Coordinator
Amanda James, GGS Executive Director
Division of Aging Services
8/9/2017