On Tuesday, November 4, Texas voters took a stance that currently impacts the lives of nearly 500,000 Texans and their one million family members who care for them as unpaid caregivers.
Since Texas is growing older faster than the rest of the nation, this is outstanding news. On behalf of dementia caregivers everywhere, and as someone who cared for my own parents, I thank The Business Press for publishing my column on Wednesday, October 22.
Now that Proposition 14 has passed, here is what we are likely to see:
· The bill authorizes the State of Texas to provide up to $3 billion over the next decade to establish the Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, which will fund research on and treatment for dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and related disorders
· Following Texas’ prominent role in research excellence for cancer (M.D. Anderson and UT Southwestern in Dallas) and cardiology (Texas Medical Center in Houston), as well as other sectors, we can expect to see Texas become a recognized leader in research and care for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
· Even more of the top dementia-focused scientists will move to Texas
· Texas will become a national model for other states to create research institutes
· This research institute will drive innovation, improve the lives of Texans with dementia, and reduce the growing burden of the disease on individuals, families, and the state’s economy
Establishing this Dementia Research Institute underscores our state’s multifaceted leadership role in healthcare.
According to The Alzheimer’s Association, this historic investment will accelerate the search for effective treatments, preventions, and cures, and position Texas at the forefront of the national fight against dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.
The explosion of dementia cases is forecast to double in the next 15 years because of the rapid growth in the number of families impacted by dementia as life expectancies increase.
With up to $300 million of annual funding, the most immediate impacts are twofold. First will be the launch of cutting-edge research to expand Texas’ medical capabilities and foster collaboration among research universities, medical institutions, and other partners.
Among the most likely research participants will be UNT Health Fort Worth (formerly known as the University of North Texas Health Science Center), which shares its medical director, Dr. Janice Knebl, with The James L. West Center for Dementia Care.
The second piece of significance is that, while The West Center is not a research institution, we put into practice the results of research conducted at UNT Health Fort Worth and other research leaders, such as the U.T. Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.
One component of Proposition 14 will be the expansion of education, broadening the scope and capabilities of The West Center. Our team leaders speak at conferences across
Texas and the nation – as they did this past week at the LeadingAge conference in Boston. Our current catalog of free online caregiver training classes consists of over 100 courses.
Home caregivers are stressed because dementia is new to them. While they want to give their very best efforts to an aging spouse or parent, their knowledge is limited; therefore, well-intentioned caregivers need training. They become overwhelmed at the immensity of their challenge.
As a result, their loving care benefits their loved one in a caring, compassionate manner.
At The James L. West Center for Dementia care, we firmly believe in two statements:
1. A person with dementia is not a problem to be solved; that person is someone to be loved and compassionately cared for in a way that makes them feel safe.
2. Know it before you need it: Becoming a caregiver with no advanced notice and training places you and your loved one in a precarious situation. Learning the basics about dementia and the most essential caregiving skills can prepare you to provide effective support, whether you are helping care for a family member or a friend.
Once again, Texas is revealing itself as a leader in business, healthcare, and quality of life.
About the James L. West Center for Dementia Care: For 32 years, the James L. West Center for Dementia Care, a not-for-profit organization, has served those impacted by dementia. Established by Eunice West in honor of her late husband, James L. West, who passed away due to dementia, the Center continues to build on its excellence in compassionate care and caregiver and dementia education by expanding its service lines to meet the community’s needs. The Center offers residential care, a Senior Day Program, Short-Term Respite Care, Short-Term Dementia Specialized Rehabilitation, a recently launched in-home care program, and professional and family caregiver education, which was recently rebranded as Dementia-IQ Powered by James L. West. The West Center recently received the Silver Award for Innovation from McKnight’s Publishing, the leading trade publication in the assisted living industry.
Cheryl Harding, Ph.D., has served as President/CEO of The West Center for the past seven years.
