Legislation Seeks to Support Police Officers with Trainings to Safely Assist Individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease
WASHINGTON — This week, Congressman Vern Buchanan, Vice Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and Chairman of the Health Subcommittee, announced that he reintroduced the Alzheimer’s Law Enforcement Education Act (H.R. 3389) with Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.). This legislation will create a new training program for law enforcement officers responding to patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
“I’m proud to reintroduce this bipartisan legislation with Congresswoman Barragán during National Police Week to ensure that our nation’s law enforcement officers are well-equipped and prepared to handle delicate situations and the unique challenges of interacting with Alzheimer’s patients,” said Buchanan. “With over 200,000 seniors in my district, many of whom may be vulnerable to Alzheimer’s, I am committed to ensuring that individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia are treated with compassion, dignity and care, especially during emergencies.”
“Many individuals living with Alzheimer’s will experience wandering at some point. As a caregiver to a parent with Alzheimer’s, I know firsthand how important it is for law enforcement to be trained to respond compassionately and effectively in these situations,” said Rep. Barragán. “That’s why I’m proud to co-lead the bipartisan Alzheimer’s Law Enforcement Education Act with Rep. Buchanan—to ensure officers have the tools they need to help bring people with Alzheimer’s home safely and reunite them with their families.”
The legislation is supported by the Alzheimer’s Association, the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM), the Bradenton Police Department and the Fraternal Order of Police.
“The Bradenton Police Department is dedicated to protecting our elderly citizens. In mid-2024, we established an Elder Fraud Unit to investigate scams targeting seniors and to lead community outreach programs aimed at preventing fraud victimization among older adults,” said Melanie Bevan, Chief of the Bradenton Police Department. “In under a year, the Elder Fraud Unit has investigated losses exceeding $6.7 million. The Alzheimer’s Law Enforcement Education Act would further strengthen our commitment to safeguarding the financial and physical well-being of vulnerable citizens, and we are proud to support Congressman Buchanan's efforts in this regard.”
“For situations involving individuals living with Alzheimer’s and law enforcement, proper awareness and training are critical to ensuring safe interactions and preventing misunderstandings,” said Rachel Conant, AIM Executive Director and Alzheimer’s Association Senior Vice President of Public Policy. “On behalf of the Alzheimer’s community, thank you to Reps. Vern Buchanan and Nanette Barragán for introducing the bipartisan Alzheimer’s Law Enforcement Education Act, which will better prepare law enforcement officers with the necessary tools to protect people living with dementia in communities across the nation.”
“Alzheimer’s is a terrible disease that affects millions of Americans and the families who care for them,” said Patrick Yoes, President of the Fraternal Order of Police. “In some cases, the disease and other forms of dementia causes behaviors or situations to which law enforcement officers will respond. They may not always realize that they are dealing with someone with Alzheimer's which could impact the encounter during a call for service. The FOP is pleased to have worked with Representatives Buchanan and Barragan to develop legislation that directs the COPS Office and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to develop a training program that will better prepare our officers in recognizing and interacting with those suffering from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. It will also train officers to identify signs of possible elder abuse to better protect older Americans and those with dementia issues. We look forward to working with the bill’s sponsors in the weeks ahead.”
The Alzheimer’s Law Enforcement Education Act has also been endorsed by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and the Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA), representing the men and women responsible for protecting and serving over 100 million Americans.
Buchanan has long championed Alzheimer’s research and care in Congress. In the 118th Congress, Buchanan was awarded the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM) Humanitarian Award from the Alzheimer’s Association. This prestigious award is given to policymakers dedicated to fighting Alzheimer’s disease in Congress.
In addition to being the Vice Chairman and most senior Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee, Buchanan is also the chairman of the Health Subcommittee, which has broad jurisdiction over traditional Medicare, the Medicare prescription drug benefit program and Medicare Advantage.
