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Bill will help families
dealing with dementia
When beginning this dementia journey with my mom, a bill like SB 639 would have been useful.
We struggled for so long to get a diagnosis, making new medications like donanemab, effective only in early stages, out of reach. Now, we can help many others who are starting their journey. Early detection and diagnosis are critical for identifying patients who might benefit from new Alzheimer’s treatments like donanemab, recently found effective by the FDA.
SB 639 adds Alzheimer’s and dementia training as recommended Continuing Medical Education for nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) treating older Californians, and mandates 20% of their continuing education focus on geriatrics and special care needs of these patients.
SB 639, by Senator Monique Limón, creates a dementia-capable workforce by requiring dementia training for NPs and PAs serving older adults.
Latrice Brown
Pittsburg
Reject cuts to funding
for meals for seniors
As an advocate for our older residents, I call on our representatives to reject the governor’s devastating $111 million cut to senior nutrition over three years. This staggering 60% reduction will increase hunger, health emergencies, premature institutionalization and homelessness among California’s most vulnerable elderly population.
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Malnutrition deaths among California seniors have more than doubled in just four years. According to a 2017 study, 8.4% of seniors are food insecure, and the population age 85 and older is projected to continue its rapid growth..
Now is the moment to increase, not cut, services for our fastest-growing, most vulnerable population. Protecting senior meals is not just a policy decision; it’s a commitment to our state’s Master Plan for Aging and our core values.
These cuts will hurt our neighbors, parents and friends. Balancing the budget on the backs of low-income elders is both inhumane and financially reckless.
Charlie Deterline
Executive Director of SOS Meals on Wheels
Hayward
