NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Advocates are asking Gov. Bill Lee to supply Tennessee's long-term care facilities with rapid coronavirus testing, with the goal of being able to reunite residents with their families faster.

Since early spring, long-term care facilities across the state have closed their doors to visitors because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rachel Blackhurst, public policy and advocacy director with the Alzheimer's Association's Tennessee Chapter, said because social isolation among people with dementia can speed decline and worsen cognitive abilities, having access to rapid-turnaround testing is critical for residents, staff and visitors.

She added that individuals with dementia may not be able to use Zoom or other video technologies or be responsive over the phone.

"And while Tennessee has actually done a really, really good job with mobilizing testing and requiring weekly testing for facilities, we've seen a decline in how quickly those results come back, and it hasn't helped with opening facilities up for visitation," Blackhurst said.

Nearly half of the state's nursing home residents are living with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia, and among older adults in assisted living and other residential facilities, 42% have some form of dementia. Tennessee has 700 long-term care facilities.

A New York Times database found at the start of August, around 40% of all U.S. COVID-19 deaths occurred among long-term care residents or staff, and that number is on the rise.

Erin Drummond's father lives in a long-term care facility, and she said she hasn't been able to see him in months.

"My dad's on hospice care right now, and we don't know how long he'll be around. So it's hard to just not be able to go in and be with him in these last moments of life," Drummond said.

She said she hopes her fellow Tennessee residents will take precautions to curb the spread of the coronavirus so that facilities can safely reopen.

"If the cases continue to rise, these restrictions still stay in place," she said. "It's really hard to go months without seeing somebody that is at the end of their life. So that would be what I would like, for everybody just in general to really think about other people and high-risk people and how that affects them."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, social isolation is associated with about a 50% increased risk of dementia as well as an increased risk for premature death, heart disease, stroke and other conditions.


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Indiana's busy holiday roads can put older drivers to the test.

With 2.8 million Hoosiers traveling this season, the AAA Hoosier Motor Club encouraged families to help senior drivers stay safe.

Christina Griffiths, manager of public affairs and communications for the club, highlighted the importance of preparation for older drivers.

"It really isn't about age necessarily," Griffiths explained. "It truly is a case-by-case basis of what am I dealing with physically, mentally, emotionally, and what can I do better to be as safe as possible?"

Griffiths recommended older drivers take simple steps to prepare for challenging conditions. She suggested checking car tires, brakes and visibility aids like wiper blades. For all drivers, she also stressed the value of adjusting travel times to avoid peak traffic and bad weather.

Winter weather raises the stakes for older drivers. Snow and ice create extra challenges, increasing stress and risk on the road. Griffiths pointed out AAA offers free online assessments and refresher courses to help seniors adjust to physical or emotional changes affecting driving.

"It asks a bunch of questions that you can evaluate: Am I checking behind me when I change lanes? Do I have difficulty with merging, or do I just feel that anxiety, I think is a big one too!" Griffiths outlined. "Maybe you have specific things you need to brush up with on your own skills."

Griffiths urged families to talk openly about driving habits. Small adjustments, like shorter trips or avoiding peak travel times, help seniors stay safe without giving up their independence. She added preparation and support help protect everyone on the road.


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Dementia, a disease with profound effects on families, loved ones and caregivers, affects more than 55 million people globally, including 6 million in the U.S.

New research shows people can reduce their risks by making even small changes in their daily routines, for example, through exercise and eating more vegetables.

Sarah Lock, senior vice president for policy at AARP, said there are also important steps policymakers can take to make it easier for people to maintain healthy behaviors.

"When we do that, we can disrupt dementia," Lock asserted. "That's a really exciting possibility, given that so many of us -- as our nation is aging -- are facing that risk."

Dementia is the third-largest cause of death in the nation for people age 70 and older, and two-thirds of Americans have at least one major potential risk factor. People who smoke five cigarettes per day have a 16% higher dementia risk than nonsmokers. People with prediabetes face a 25% increased risk, which rises to 50% with full-blown diabetes. Prolonged exposure to air pollution is also a major dementia risk factor.

Other risk factors include alcohol use, depression, high body mass index, hearing loss, hypertension, low education, physical inactivity, social isolation and traumatic brain injury. Lock pointed out policies to reduce these risks can vary by state. For example, in Colorado, physical inactivity may not be as big of a
problem as in other states, but hearing loss is relatively high.

"We can suggest to policymakers that they focus on ways to help people screen and correct for hearing loss," Lock noted. "In Colorado, that might be a wiser use of public dollars, to go after the problem that seems to be biggest in your state."

Lock added the goal of the research is to offer people pathways to better brain health and to give older Americans more quality time with their loved ones. The findings were released by the new Dementia Risk Reduction Project, a collaboration between AARP, the Alzheimer's Disease Data Initiative and the University of Washington.

Changes coming to Medicare in 2025 could be beneficial for Oregon residents who are eligible for the program.

Oregonians who qualify for Medicare are now in the open enrollment period through Dec. 7, which allows them to search for health coverage plans to best suit their needs.

Ryan Kibby, Oregon Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance project director for the Oregon Department of Human Services, said there will be expanded care options for dementia patients with the Guiding and Improved Dementia Experience or GUIDE program.

"Some of the resources available through GUIDE would include a 24-hour support line, caregiver training and up to $2,500 a year for respite services," Kibby outlined. "That's really just going to help benefit the people who are providing these family caregiver services."

There will also be expanded mental health benefits for people with Medicare in 2025. In 2023, nearly 920,000 Oregonians were enrolled in Medicare. People can get free help to find coverage through Oregon's SHIBA program, either on its website or at 800-722-4134.

Kibby pointed out another major improvement in 2025 is prescription drug costs will be capped.

"There will be a lower maximum to pay for covered drugs, under both Medicare Part D policies and Medicare Advantage drug coverage," Kibby explained. "The maximum amount that people will pay in 2025 is $2,000, and they won't have to pay anything for covered drugs once they reach that amount."

Prescription payment plans will be an option for people who cannot pay in full up-front. The out-of-pocket cost cap also eliminates a gap in coverage, known as the "donut hole," which some have experienced in the past. While Medicare cannot cover prescriptions specifically for weight loss, people can access these drugs for treatment of conditions like Type 2 diabetes.


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