Under Governor Gavin Newsom’s leadership, California’s efforts to combat Alzheimer’s disease have made great strides in yet another year. Governor Newsom kicked off Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month by highlighting the significant progress made by the state’s Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention and Preparedness Task Force, which is based on the recommendations made in 2020. According to the California Governor’s Office, Maria Shriver’s task team has developed innovative strategies for battling the illness, paying particular focus to high-risk populations including women and diverse communities.
These efforts are especially important because the state has the greatest aging population in the country. The rising incidence of Alzheimer’s disease in California is expected to disproportionately affect certain demographic groups, a problem that Governor Newsom has pledged to publicly address. In a statement obtained by the California Governor’s Office, Newsom stated, “As someone whose own father battled dementia, I know just how devastating this disease can be on people, on loved ones, on families, and on communities.” She then encouraged families to have a conversation about healthy aging during their Thanksgiving get-togethers.
The task team has taken significant explicit steps to support impacted families and enhance the state’s response to Alzheimer’s disease. Notable recent advances include the passage of twelve measures signed by Governor Newsom on World Alzheimer’s Day 2024, which require continuous education in dementia care for medical personnel and Alzheimer’s prevention training for police enforcement, among other things. It is anticipated that these legislative actions will greatly improve the quality of care and attention that people over 60 will receive from different service providers around the state.
The Alzheimer’s Task Force chair, Maria Shriver, reflected on the perseverance and dedication required for the panel’s work. She told the California Governor’s Office that the task force set out on a profound journey, digging deeply into the issue, paying close attention to voices that were frequently ignored, relentlessly pursuing every possible line of research and treatment, and finally coming up with ground-breaking solutions for this terrible illness. The state’s strong approach to Alzheimer’s has been shaped by the task force’s recommendations, which hold out the potential of creating a continuum of care that can accommodate dementia well into the future.
With integrated policies that mirror the state’s Master Plan on Aging and aim to create a healthier environment for all Californians, the state is positioned to continue leading the way in Alzheimer’s research and care in the future. In interviews with the California Governor’s Office, statements from a range of stakeholders, including advocates and medical professionals like Dr. David Lubarsky and Lauren Miller Rogen, reaffirmed this commitment and praised the state’s efforts to support caregivers, educate the public, and fund research as vital steps towards a dementia-free future.
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