Colorado State Alzheimer’s Disease Plan: A Roadmap for Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiving and Family Support Policies

A report presenting the findings and recommendations of the Colorado Alzheimer’s Coordinating Council (CACC) concerning the increasing incidence of Alzheimer’s disease in Colorado.

December 1, 2010

March 10, 2023

The council’s creation was authorized by the state legislature in 2008 through Senate Bill 08-058. It highlights state’s current public and private capacity to address the care and service needs of individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s and makes recommendations for improvements to the current system in light of Colorado’s rapidly aging population.

The prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease is increasing both nationally and in Colorado. By 2050, the number of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease is projected to exceed 13 million. More than 110,000 Coloradans are projected to have Alzheimer’s disease in 2025, compared to 49,000 in 2000. Alzheimer’s disease was the sixth-leading cause of death in Colorado in 2007. Further, according to the Alzheimer’s Association, it is estimated that 70 percent of nursing home residents have some degree of cognitive impairment. It also estimates that about 70 percent of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia live at home and receive care from family and friends.

The current resources, information and long-term care services and supports for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease are fragmented and underdeveloped in Colorado and require a coordinated and comprehensive state and community response.

In 2008, the Colorado General Assembly recognized the need for a state plan to address Alzheimer’s disease and commissioned the Colorado Alzheimer’s Coordinating Council (CACC) to complete this task. The CACC was instructed to draft a state plan that would describe the current status of the state, identify service and support gaps that exist and provide recommendations to state policymakers for needed improvements. This report shall serve as Colorado’s State Plan for Alzheimer’s Disease.

Presentations

Defining and Measuring Quality Outcomes for Individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease

Quality Measures in Dementia Care

The Future Health Care Needs of Colorado’s Alzheimer’s Population: Senior Care of Colorado and the M.E.S.A. Initiative

Fact Sheets

Dementia-related Workforce Training

Residential Settings and Services for Long-Term Care Medicaid Clients

Overview of the Long-Term Care Health Workforce in Colorado

Two Information and Referral Models: Single Entry Point (SEP) and Adult Resources for Care and Help (ARCH)

Colorado Medicaid Consumer-Directed Programs

Colorado Medicaid Long-Term Care Programs: Summary of Selected Cost, Enrollment and Service Data for Elderly, Blind and Disabled Enrolled Individuals

Colorado Department of Human Services Aging and Adult Services