Ga. caregivers push dementia training for law enforcement
ATLANTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Dozens of Georgia Alzheimer’s Association advocates from across the state met with Georgia lawmakers at the state Capitol.
You couldn’t miss them in their signature purple shirts, standing at the ropes of both chambers, eager to meet with lawmakers Thursday to push for a new bill.
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They want to create an optional course for all Georgia first responders. They hope the course will include topics like:
- Interacting with persons with Alzheimer’s disease and related forms of dementia.
- Techniques for recognizing behavioral symptoms and characteristics of dementia.
- Communicating effectively.
- Employing alternatives to physical restraints.
- Identifying signs of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
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House Bill 238 sponsored by State Rep. Eddie Lumsden was drafted and assigned to the Public Safety and Homeland Security committee but has yet to receive a vote.
The bill would require the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council to work with the Division of Aging Services to create coursework.
Six out of 10 people with dementia will wander at some point, with many wandering more than once. John Clark with Georgia Emergency Search and Rescue volunteers his time to search for missing persons.
“It’s different because the person you’re dealing with, the person you are trying to find, their brain is rotting, it’s rotted, that’s why it is Alzheimer’s,” Clark said.
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He said training officers could be lifesaving. In November and December, four people died after wandering off in metro Atlanta.
“I don’t think all of them should have died. In my opinion, they could have been saved,” Clark said.
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