A bill for an act relating to area agencies on aging, dementia service specialists, and a dementia services coordinator, and providing an appropriation.

SF 547 requires each of Iowa's area agencies on aging to hire a dementia service specialist to support people living with dementia, their families, and caregivers. The bill also creates a dementia services coordinator position within the Department of Health and Human Services to oversee statewide dementia initiatives. Key duties for specialists include providing referrals, conducting cognitive screenings, building dementia-friendly community programs, and training first responders. The bill appropriates $750,000 for fiscal year 2025-2026 to fund these positions across all area agencies and the coordinator role.