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NASHVILLE — Co-sponsored by State Senator Rusty Crowe (R-Johnson City), the Thomas G. Bowden Memorial Act unanimously passed through the Senate Wednesday.
The bill will establish a three-year pilot program called the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Respite Care Program, which will provide respite care services for families caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, as well as those living with Alzheimer’s disease.

The bill is named in memoriam of Retired Colonel Thomas G. Bowden, a Tullahoma native who dedicated 26 years of service to the United States Army and received the Distinguished Service Medal, among other awards.

Colonel Bowden lost his life to Alzheimer’s at age 68.

Sen Crowe issued the following statement about the legislation:

“Several years ago, we created the Alzheimer’s & Related-Dementia Task Force. This legislation is the result of the study and research done through that task force, which Mrs. Barbara Bowden, the wife of Col. Bowden, and I served on for several years. I am very proud of the work Sen. Reeves has done as our prime sponsor, and I know that this pilot project will benefit the lives of those families who are acting as caregivers for their loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. This pilot program will be managed through the Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability, which has offices throughout the state.”