Plummer and West Bill Aides those with Dementia

COLUMBUS – State Representatives Phil Plummer (R-Dayton) and Thomas West (D-Canton) unveiled a bill that would improve the care requirements given to those with dementia from peace officers and medical service personnel. It would do so through requiring training on how to identify and interact with individuals with dementia.

Plummer’s bill would require at least two hours of instruction with satisfactory completion of basic training at an approved peace officer training school. This training would focus on seven components:

1.)    Identifying individuals with dementia, including psychiatric and behavioral symptoms of dementia

2.)    Respectful and effective communication techniques for communicating with individuals with dementia and their caregivers

3.)    Techniques for addressing the behavioral symptoms of dementia, including alternatives to physical restraint

4.)    Identifying and reporting incidents of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of individuals with dementia to the office of attorney general

5.)    Protocols for contacting caregivers when an individual with dementia is found wandering or during an emergency or crisis situation

6.)    Local resources available for individuals with dementia

7.)    Local and national organizations that assist peace officers with locating missing and wandering individuals with dementia and returning them to their caregivers

“Those who are suffering with dementia deserve to have trained professionals looking out for them and working with them at all times,” said Plummer.

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For more information, contact Rep. Plummer’s office at 614-644-8051 or rep40@ohiohouse.gov