Representative Nicole Miller wants to make sure long-term care facilities which claim a specialty in caring for patients with dementia or other cognitive impairments provide proper memory care services. She conducted an interim study this week looking into that issue.
“Approximately 100 Oklahomans turn 65 years old every day, and by 2030, seniors will outnumber children for the first time in our state history,” Miller said. “More and more Oklahomans will need memory care facilities in the next decade, but we must ensure that there are measures in place to verify that a facility is memory care capable and can provide quality care for our aging Oklahomans.”
Under current law, a long-term care facility must provide a disclosure of what services it offers for cognitive impaired residents. Miller says there is no way to enforce what is considered memory care and wants to change that to provide accurate information to families.
The COVID-19 pandemic shortened session caused Miller’s efforts to fall short this year. She’s planning on filing a similar bill during the next legislative session.
