S.242 is a bill introduced to appropriate funds for the dementia respite grant program and to establish a pilot program aimed at creating or expanding dementia-capable activities in specific counties in Vermont. The bill highlights the significant impact of Alzheimer's disease on Vermonters, noting that there are approximately 12,800 individuals over 65 with Alzheimer's and around 20,000 unpaid caregivers providing substantial care. The bill proposes an appropriation of $750,000 from the General Fund for the Vermont Dementia Respite Grant, which will support unpaid family caregivers by funding services such as in-home care and adult day services. Additionally, it allocates $100,000 for a one-year pilot program to develop dementia-capable social activities in Rutland and Washington Counties.

The bill specifies that individuals with dementia who have an annual income at or below 400% of the federal poverty level will be eligible for grant funds, capped at $3,000 per person for fiscal year 2027. It also mandates that each area agency on aging maintain a waitlist for services funded through this grant program, with funding distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. The pilot program will award grants to community organizations that provide dementia-capable social activities, prioritizing those that support individuals with cognitive impairments and promote brain health. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.