California State Alzheimer’s Plan Overview

California Advocates
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In 2008, the California Legislature passed Senate Bill 491 calling for the development of a state plan. Under the direction of the California Alzheimers Disease and Related Disorders Advisory Committee, established within the California Health and Human Services Agency, a task force was created including representatives from state agencies, community organizations, underrepresented communities, and academia as well as health care providers, caregivers, and individuals living with the dementia. After incorporating public feedback to address Californias culturally diverse population, the task force published Californias State Plan for Alzheimers Disease: An Action Plan for 2011-2021.

California 2024 Policy Priorities

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Support Funding for the Dementia Care Aware Program

Nearly 720,000 Californians are living with dementia, and fewer than half have received a formal diagnosis. The Dementia Care Aware program, which was created in 2021 to provide cognitive screening incentive payments and dementia-specific training for primary care providers, is addressing the vital need. California Alzheimer’s Disease Centers (CADCs), a statewide network of ten sites housed at public and private universities, were codified to provide Alzheimer’s expertise, research, and diagnostics. The Alzheimer’s Association urges state lawmakers to move the Dementia Care Aware program under the purview of the CADCs. This legislation would continue the state’s financial support to provide these critical diagnostic services.

 

 

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Enhance the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Advisory Committee

The Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Advisory Committee was established within the California Health and Human Services Agency in 1988 to provide ongoing advice and assistance on program needs and priorities of individuals impacted by Alzheimer’s and other dementia. The committee members represent consumers, family members, providers and advocates. The Alzheimer’s Association is urging state lawmakers to support legislation that would update committee membership and modernize written language to reduce stigma.

 

 

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Extend the Personal Income Tax Contributions for Alzheimer’s Research 

Since 1997, the California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) has included the option for voluntary contributions by taxpayers to contribute to the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund. For the past six years, the fund has raised more than a half million dollars annually to provide research dollars to California scientists to help improve care and bring an end to the disease. Funds collected by the FTB are administered by the California Department of Public Health, which awards grants through a competitive process. The Alzheimer's Association is urging state lawmakers to support legislation that would extend funding for an additional five years to 2030.

Find My Chapter

Together, we’re making an impact. Find an Alzheimers Association chapter in your community for more ways to engage.

Contact Us

State Affairs Contact: Eric Dowdy

Phone: 925.269.4310

Email: eedowdy@alz.org

719,700

people living with Alzheimer’s in California

1.4 Million

Californians are providing unpaid care

$4.2 Billion

Medicaid cost of caring for people living with Alzheimer’s (2020)

282.7%

increase in Alzheimer’s deaths 2000-2021

20%

in hospice with a primary diagnosis of dementia

185.5%

increase of geriatricians in California needed to meet the demand in 2050