Alzheimer’s Association awarded $24 million to support those affected by Alzheimer’s disease
ALBANY, NY
The Alzheimer’s Association, New York State Coalition has been awarded $24 million by the New York State Department of Health through the Alzheimer’s Disease Community Assistance Program (AlzCAP) to maintain its leadership of the grant. The program will enable the Coalition to expand its statewide services to those affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
Established by legislative action in 1997 to address the escalating Alzheimer’s public health crisis, AlzCAP provides individualized and community education, and care and support services for people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias and their care partners. The seven Alzheimer’s Association chapters comprising the Coalition create the only statewide entity to supporting all 400,000 New Yorkers with Alzheimer’s disease
“We are proud to continue our long-standing and successful stewardship of AlzCAP,” said Jane Ginsburg, the Coalition’s executive director. “Alzheimer’s disease is a public health crisis. When you hear the statistics in New York and realize that that number is expected to grow 18 percent by 2025, you see how imperative this grant is. This level of funding is unique to New York State, and we commend Governor Cuomo, the New York State Legislature and the Department of Health for their continued commitment to this vulnerable population and their care partners.”
Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and the only one in the top 10 that cannot be prevented, treated or cured. In the United States, 5.7 million people have the brain disease, and nearly one in three seniors who dies each year has Alzheimer’s or another dementia. Alzheimer’s has far-reaching financial, physical and emotional effects that can touch entire families. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, New York has more than one million caregivers who will provide 1.2 billion hours of unpaid care in 2018, valued at $14.8 billion.
“Maintaining this grant is about more than funding,” said Christopher Smith, New York State Regional Director for the Alzheimer’s Association. “It means that we can continue our outreach to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and their care partners. Along with our sister chapters statewide, we can continue to enhance care and support for those affected by the disease with the knowledge that the services available are consistent and of the highest quality.”
The Alzheimer’s Disease Community Assistance Program (AlzCAP) is funded by the New York State Department of Health, Office of Health Insurance Programs, Division of Long Term Care, Bureau of Community Integration and Alzheimer’s Disease.
Alzheimer’s Association chapters provide in-person support in every New York state county, including care consultations, family, professional and gatekeeper educational programs, a free 24-hour Helpline with translation services to more than 200 languages and dialects, expert information and referrals and support groups. To learn more about the Alzheimer’s Association, call 800.272.3900 or visit alz.org.
