California State Alzheimer’s Plan Overview
In 2008, the California Legislature passed Senate Bill 491 calling for the development of a state plan. Under the direction of the California Alzheimer’s 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 California’s culturally diverse population, the task force published California’s State Plan for Alzheimer’s Disease: An Action Plan for 2011-2021.
California 2024 Policy Priorities
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.
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.
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.
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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
Resources to Drive Change in California
The following resources developed by AIM and the Alzheimer’s Association will help you learn more about the issues impacting people living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers, how California policymakers are addressing these gaps, and how you can help drive change.