Guided by the Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention and Preparedness Task Force, California has taken “significant” action and made progress over the past five years to support Californians with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or related dementias.
As part of Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month in November activities, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) announced last week that the state has made “substantial” strides in implementing all 10 key recommendations the task force made in 2020:
- Appointed a senior advisor on aging, disabilities and Alzheimer’s
- Kept California at the forefront of cutting-edge global research
- Created an Alzheimer’s public awareness campaign
- Built a Cal-COMPASS (California Community Program for Alzheimer’s Services and Supports) digital portal
- Established voluntary savings accounts for long-term care in California, CalSavers
- Invested in career incentives for Alzheimer’s care
- Introduced a new caregiver training and certification program
- Launched a California Blue Zones city challenge
- Launched a Californians For All College Corps volunteer program
- Modeled a statewide standard of care for the nation
Former First Lady Maria Shriver, the chair of the state’s Alzheimer’s Task Force, said implementation of all 10 recommendations “reaffirms California’s steadfast commitment and pioneering role in our ongoing battle against Alzheimer’s disease.”
California has the largest aging population in the nation, which translates into a growing number of residents living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 720,000 older adults are living with Alzheimer’s in California, and the National Center for Assisted Living states that 40% of California’s assisted living residents are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias.
New laws, new future
In September, Newsom signed a package of 12 bills to help California’s law enforcement, doctors and healthcare providers, and local aging services better serve the growing number of older adults. The new laws include action to require law enforcement training on prevention and responding to wandering by people with Alzheimer’s autism and dementia, and requiring continuing education in geriatrics and dementia care for doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals who provide care for older adults as at least 25% of their practice.
Looking ahead to 2030, California leaders say they remain dedicated to ensuring a dementia-capable continuum of care, including taking ongoing steps and using the National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease’s six goals to organize those efforts. The National Plan was updated last December.
The California Health and Human Services Agency also said it is committed to advancing the state’s vision of a Healthy California for All by using the state’s guiding principles and strategic priorities and the Master Plan on Aging.
Source: McKnights Seniorliving