title
A resolution urging the Tennessee General Assembly to support the Colonel Thomas G. Bowden Act, SB 1749/HB 1686, to establish respite care program for caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s and related dementia in Tennessee.
body
WHEREAS, SB 1749/HB 1686, known as the Colonel Thomas G. Bowden Act, has been introduced by Senator Shane Reeves and Representative Ryan Williams and would establish a pilot program to be known as the Alzheimer’s and dementia respite care program; and
WHEREAS, the program was first proposed in 2020 and would provide respite care service for families caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, as well as those living with Alzheimer’s disease; and
WHEREAS, the pilot program would run for three years and serve up to 150 enrollees each calendar year of the program’s operation; and
WHEREAS, families caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia at home are burdened with financial and personal costs of providing continuous care; and
WHEREAS, according to the Alzheimer’s Association 2021 Facts and Figures report, over half a million Tennesseans are directly affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia, and 357,000 family caregivers across the state provided nearly 500 million hours of unpaid care valued at over six billion dollars; and
WHEREAS, Medicare does not pay for long-term care or provide support to family caregivers, and long-term care insurance is costly and may not cover essential services for the length of time needed for an Alzheimer’s patient, making it unaffordable for low and middle-income families; and
WHEREAS, a respite care program may delay or forgo the need for a long-term skilled nursing facility for those with Alzheimer’s and allow them to remain in their home environment; and
WHEREAS, if passed, Tennessee would join a dozen other states in expanding respite programs to families coping with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council shows its support for the Colonel Thomas G. Bowden Act, legislation that would bring relief to many caregivers and individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia in Nashville and the state of Tennessee.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That the Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as urging the Tennessee General Assembly to support SB 1749/HB 1686, a respite care pilot program for caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Section 2. The Metropolitan Clerk is directed to send a copy of this Resolution to each member of the Davidson County Delegation to the Tennessee General Assembly.
Section 3. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.