New law enacting Alzheimer's Dementia and Other Forms of Dementia Special Care Disclosure Act
OKLAHOMA CITY – Beginning Nov. 1, a new law under HB 2262 creates the Alzheimer’s Dementia and Other Forms of Dementia Special Care Disclosure Act. The law’s House authors are Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, and Rep. Meloyde Blancett, D-Tulsa.
The law requires facilities who advertise memory care to disclose what type of care is being provided.
“Families making decisions about memory care deserve transparency, clarity and confidence in the care their loved ones receive,” Miller said. “This law builds on the work I began in 2021 to strengthen accountability and ensure families have the information they need to make informed choices and that every Oklahoman in memory care is treated with the quality and respect they deserve.”
Rep. Meloyde Blancett, D-Tulsa, co-authored the bill and presented it in House committees and on the House Floor.
“Caregivers and families of those with Alzheimer's or dementia already face immense emotional stress when trying to figure out what facility is best suited for their loved ones's needs," said Blancett. "The last thing they need is to get misinformation in the decision process because the life of their loved one can literally hang in the balance if a bad placement is made.
"This bill places greater disclosure requirements on both referral agencies, caregivers and the Oklahoma Department of Health to better ensure families know in advance which facilities provide which memory care services, and which do not."
According to the Alzheimer’s Association Oklahoma Chapter, in Oklahoma, there are over 70,500 Oklahomans aged 65 and up with Alzheimer's, there was a 152% increase in Alzheimer's Deaths from 2000-2022, and 18% of Hospice Residents have a primary diagnosis of Dementia.
The law also requires the conspicuous posting of information about where a person can report a referral agency or a facility which has not provided the appropriate information about a facility's memory care capabilities. Reporting such complaints are to be made to the Consumer Protection Unit of the Office of the Attorney General.
Consumer representatives can be reached at: (405) 521-2029; (833) 681-1895; and
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