HR499 Summary

• Recognizes the importance of Alzheimer's disease and related dementia awareness training for emergency responders, with an estimated 5.5 million Americans living with Alzheimer's dementia in 2017, including approximately 200,000 individuals under age 65.

• Acknowledges that Alzheimer's is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States and the only top 10 cause of death that cannot be prevented, cured, or slowed.

• Congratulates the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission (APOSTC), Alabama Department of Public Health Office of Emergency Medical Services (ADPH-OEMS), and Alabama Fire College and Personnel Standards Commission (AFCPSC) for recognizing the value of dementia awareness training.

• Supports inclusion of Alzheimer's disease and related dementia awareness training as an element of basic academy certification training for emergency medical service providers, law enforcement officers, and firefighters.

• Makes such training available for in-service training and annual continuing education requirements to help first responders better understand dementia behaviors and respond more effectively to calls involving persons with Alzheimer's or related dementia.