New York State Department of Health Recognizes Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month in November

Department Continues to Support Initiatives Aimed at Ensuring Access to Essential Services for Individuals Living with the Disease and Caregivers

Department Encourages Strategies to Reduce Risk of Dementia Related Diseases

ALBANY, N.Y. (November 14, 2024) – The New York State Department of Health recognizes Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month in November by encouraging all New Yorkers to adopt strategies that can reduce the risk of dementia-related diseases.

"Alzheimer's disease affects those who suffer from this terrible disease and it also deeply affects their loved ones," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "While we don't yet have a cure, early detection and adopting brain-healthy habits can reduce risks. With proper care and community support, we can improve the quality of life for those affected while advancing the fight against this devastating disease. We live with the hope that one day, a cure will be found in our lifetime."

According to the Alzheimer's Association's Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures Report for New York, more than 426,500 New Yorkers age 65 and older are living with the disease. That number is projected to increase to 460,000 by 2025. This increase intensifies the economic caregiving strain on individuals, families, health care providers and communities across New York.

To address this growing challenge, the Department launched the Alzheimer's Disease Caregiver Support Initiative (ADCSI) in 2015, which continues today with $25 million in annual funding. The initiative ensures individuals access to essential health and community services for individuals and their caregivers in all 62 counties of New York State. The ADCSI's objectives include:

  • Prevent or delay institutionalization, allowing individuals to remain in their communities. 
  • Reduce unnecessary emergency department visits and hospitalizations. 
  • Promote early diagnosis to enable proper, medical, legal and financial planning.  
  • Support the health and well-being of both caregivers and those living with Alzheimer's. 
  • Generate Medicaid cost savings by optimizing care. 

The two main components of the ADCSI program include clinical services and support services, delivered through three initiatives:

  • Centers for Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease (CEAD). The Department contracts with ten CEADs across the State, which serve as regional experts in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. Often affiliated with large medical centers and teaching hospitals, the Centers provide an interdisciplinary approach for assessments and care management for individuals experiencing changes in their cognition. Through the CEAD's interdisciplinary team, individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's or a related dementia and their caregivers are linked to appropriate community-based services and supports. CEADs are also at the forefront of research and clinical trials seeking effective treatments and a cure.   
  • Regional Caregiver Support Initiative (CSI). The Department contracts with ten not-for-profit organizations which use evidence-based or evidence-informed strategies and initiatives to develop a robust and innovative array of core caregiver services. The organizations provide community-based support services including caregiver assessments, support groups, caregiver wellness and joint enrichment activities, respite services, education programs and outreach to the community with a focus on reaching underserved communities. 
  • Alzheimer's Disease Community Assistance Program (AlzCAP). The Department contracts with the Coalition of New York State Alzheimer's Association Chapters and its subcontractors—seven Alzheimer's Association Chapters across the State—to deliver a comprehensive array of community-based services. These include care consultations, training and education, a 24/7 Helpline available in more than 200 languages, support groups for both individuals living with a dementia diagnosis and caregivers, public outreach and awareness, and training for professional caregivers and others to promote dementia-friendly and well-informed communities. 

For more information about the ADCSI and access to services in your area, visit the "Where Can I Get Help" page of the Department's Alzheimer's Disease Program website.

Additionally, the Department supports the work of the Alzheimer's Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to promote early detection and diagnosis. This ensures access to information, care, and community-based support when it is most needed by individuals living with the disease and caregivers. 

Early detection and diagnosis can improve quality of life and quality of care. The process starts by having a conversation with a physician about concerns related to cognitive changes and general health. Early diagnosis allows individuals to plan for the future; helps decrease the financial burden the disease can take; enables individuals living with dementia to prepare advanced directives while they are still able to communicate their preferences; and to access newly evolving treatments and participate in clinical trials and research. 

Although there is currently no cure for Alzheimer's disease, a disease modifying therapy has been approved for people diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia.  

Research continues to show that lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk of developing the disease. Key strategies for risk reduction include: 

  • Physical exercise. Getting some kind of physical exercise every day can help decrease the risk of developing dementia. 
  • Diet. Following the Mediterranean or DASH diets, which are known to be heart healthy, may decrease the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. 
  • Preventing high blood pressure. Preventing and managing high blood pressure through diet, exercise, and doctor-prescribed medication can reduce risk. 
  • Social support. Social connections and mental stimulation help by engaging the mind. 
  • Sleep. Getting a full eight hours of sleep helps support brain health. 
  • Avoiding head trauma. Wearing helmets when participating in contact sports, riding a bike, or roller blading/skating, as well as wearing a seat belt, all help to prevent head injuries. 
  • Smoking. Not starting, or quitting smoking, can help maintain brain health. 
  • Drinking. Avoiding the excessive consumption of alcohol can help promote a healthy brain. 
  • Hearing. Preventing hearing loss by avoiding loud music or sounds, wearing headphones to block outside sound and keeping the volume low, and following providers advice to correct hearing loss may help reduce the risk of developing dementia. 

Additional information about dementia prevention, intervention and care is available in this report from the medical journal, The Lancet.