Illinois Legislature Passes First-In-The- Nation Dementia Training For EMTs

 Illinois Legislature Passes First-In-The- Nation Dementia Training For EMTs

Springfield, Ill. – During the last week in March, after a
unanimous Senate vote, the Illinois legislature passed House
Bill 4388, an initiative of the Alzheimer’s Association Illinois
Chapter to ensure that all emergency medical technicians
(EMTs) and paramedics receive regular dementia training.
This first-in-the-nation training requirement will help paramedics
recognize the signs and symptoms of dementia as well as
be able to effectively communicate with people living with
Alzheimer’s and dementia.

“I’m proud that Illinois is taking this important step
to protect one of our most vulnerable populations – those
living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias,” said
State Senator Celina Villanueva, the Senate sponsor of
House Bill 4388. “Ensuring our medical professionals know
how to approach these situations and appropriately care for
these individuals will lead to better health outcomes.”

“The fight to end Alzheimer’s is personal for me. I
watched my grandfather, a former Navy pilot and prosecutor,
succumb to this disease, and I know how important it is
to recognize the symptoms of someone suffering,” said State
Representative Margaret Croke, the House sponsor of the
legislation. “This bill trains paramedics to understand the
signs and communicate effectively to ensure better experiences
for patients in already stressful situations.”

House Bill 4388 requires that EMTs and paramedics
dedicate one (1) hour of their existing training requirements
prior to relicensure to education on recognizing signs and
symptoms of dementia, the care and treatment of individuals
with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, as well
as effective communication strategies with this vulnerable
population.

“Once again, Illinois is leading the nation in becoming
a dementia-capable state, providing better care for people
with Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.” said Delia Jervier,
Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter Executive Director.

“This training is especially critical because paramedics
are on the front lines when it comes to protecting those
living with dementia and as the size of the U.S. population
age 65 and older continues to grow, so will the number and
proportion of Americans with Alzheimer’s or other dementias.”

According to the Alzheimer’s Association 2022 Facts
and Figures report released in mid-March the number of
Illinois residents with Alzheimer’s is expected to increase
13% by 2025.

The chief sponsors of House Bill 4388 were Senator
Celina Villanueva and Representative Margaret Croke. The
bill passed with overwhelming bipartisan majorities in both
chambers - the Illinois Senate on a vote of 53-0-0 and the
Illinois House on a vote of 98-11-2. It now heads to Governor
Pritzker’s desk for his signature.

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