Title 23
Health and Safety

Chapter 1.7
Rhode Island Program to Address Alzheimer’s Disease

§ 23-1.7-7. Education and outreach regarding brain health and dementia.

(a) The department of health, in consultation with the advisory council created pursuant to § 23-1.7-2, shall incorporate information about brain health, dementia risk factors and risk reduction, Alzheimer’s disease, and other dementias into existing public health outreach programs to:

(1) Increase public understanding and awareness of:

(i) Brain health and dementia risk reduction;

(ii) Early warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias;

(iii) The value of early detection and timely diagnosis; and

(iv) The relationship between Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other chronic health conditions.

(2) Ensure public awareness and outreach programs:

(i) Provide clear, uniform guidance in nonclinical terms; and

(ii) Prioritize populations at greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

(b) The department of health, in consultation with the advisory council created pursuant to § 23-1.7-2, shall incorporate information about brain health, dementia risk factors and risk reduction, Alzheimer’s disease, and other dementias into existing healthcare provider education and outreach programs to educate providers regarding:

(1) The importance of risk reduction, early detection, and timely diagnosis of cognitive impairment and dementia;

(2) Validated assessment tools for the detection and diagnosis of cognitive impairment;

(3) The value of validated cognitive assessment tools during Medicare annual wellness visits; and

(4) Medicare care planning billing codes for individuals with cognitive impairment, provision of effective care planning, and available treatments.