Massachusetts House passes legislation to strengthen Alzheimer’s and dementia care

Legislation expands first responder training, strengthens hospital care, supports caregivers and advances brain health initiatives across the Commonwealth

Special to The Advocate

On July 29, 2026, the Massachusetts House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation to strengthen dementia care, improve support for families and caregivers, expand workforce training and enhance public health efforts to address Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias across the Commonwealth. The bill takes a comprehensive approach to improving care for individuals living with dementia while equipping health care providers, first responders, hospitals and state agencies with the tools and resources needed to better serve patients. On July 30, the Massachusetts Senate referred the bill to its committee on Ways & Means.

“Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia are devastating illnesses that profoundly affect not only those diagnosed, but also the families and caregivers faced with the challenges of caring for their loved one. This legislation is about ensuring that the Commonwealth is doing all that it can to care for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias by strengthening training, by improving coordination across the health care system, and by investing in a workforce that is better prepared to provide the care that diagnosed individuals need,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I want to thank Leader Gregorie and Chair Stanley for their work on this legislation, as well as all my colleagues in the House for supporting these important reforms.”

“While the Commonwealth is a global pioneer in advancing Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementia treatment and prevention, we can’t rest on our laurels,” said Representative Thomas M. Stanley (D-Waltham), who is House Chair of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Aging and Independence. “The prevalence of Alzheimer’s and related dementia is expected to increase substantially over the next decade and at the same time we are experiencing workforce challenges and a shrinking pool of family caregivers.”

“Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia touch far too many families, and I know firsthand how difficult it can be to watch a loved one navigate these diseases. This legislation is about meeting people where they are, supporting caregivers, improving care for patients, and ensuring that the professionals who serve our communities have the training and resources they need. From first responders to hospitals to care coordination, we’re taking meaningful steps to build a more compassionate, prepared, and dementia-friendly Commonwealth. I’m proud to support this bipartisan effort to improve quality of life for individuals living with dementia and the families who stand beside them every day,” said Representative Jessica Ann Giannino (D-Revere).

“With the rise of our friends, families and neighbors afflicted with Alzheimer’s, this legislation takes a wholistic approach to addressing the needs of patients and families. It seeks to be better service, increased education and seamless coordination in addressing this affliction,” said Representative Jeffrey Rosario Turco (D-Winthrop).

The legislation establishes mandatory dementia training programs for municipal and state law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency medical services personnel. Developed by the Municipal Police Training Committee, the Massachusetts Fire Training Council, the Department of Public Health (DPH), the Colonel of the State Police, and the Executive Office of Aging and Independence in consultation with Alzheimer’s organizations and other stakeholders, the training will require at least two hours of initial instruction followed by biennial continuing education.

The bill expands notification requirements so that families or legal representatives are informed of an initial diagnosis of any dementia — not solely Alzheimer’s disease — and establishes a new MassHealth dementia care coordination benefit for eligible members enrolled in Senior Care Options and One Care plans, providing support for both individuals living with dementia and their caregivers. The legislation also enhances protections for patients and families by requiring acute care hospitals to allow medically appropriate visitation for patients living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias, as well as those exhibiting symptoms of cognitive impairment. Hospitals will also be required to notify designated family members, caregivers or legal representatives promptly following admission and before discharge.

To improve care in hospital settings, the legislation codifies requirements that hospitals maintain and implement dementia operational plans addressing staff training, patient recognition and management, dementia-friendly environments, caregiver communication, discharge planning, and care coordination. Hospitals will be required to update these plans every five years, submit them to DPH and make them publicly available.

The legislation also mandates the following:

• Expands the Health Care Workforce Loan Repayment Program to provide assistance for professionals specializing in geriatrics and geriatric psychiatry; helps recruit and retain clinicians with expertise in caring for older adults
• Creates a Director of Dementia Care and Coordination within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services
• Directs DPH to expand public awareness efforts on brain health and dementia through culturally relevant education campaigns, to strengthen statewide data collection on cognitive decline and caregiving and to regularly report on implementation of the CDC’s Healthy Brain Initiative Road Map