N.Y. renews $24 million grant to Alzheimer's Association

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 award, which begins July 1 and continues for five years, 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 support 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 Gov. Andrew 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, slowed 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.

“The Hudson Valley Chapter is grateful for the continuing support from the New York State Department of Health,” said David Sobel, president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association Hudson Valley Chapter. “Our seven-county chapter is very diverse, reaching from the densely populated New York City metropolitan area to communities upstate. This grant will be a great help in reaching the families throughout our region who need our services most.”

The Hudson Valley Chapter covers Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Putnam, Dutchess, Ulster and Sullivan counties in New York. Alzheimer’s Association chapters provide in-person support in every county in New York State, including care consultations; family, professional and gatekeeper educational programs; a free 24-hour Helpline (800.272.3900) with translation services into more than 200 languages and dialects; expert information and referrals; and support groups.

The Alzheimer’s Association, New York State Coalition is the only statewide organization supporting all New Yorkers affected by Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. For more than 30 years, the Coalition’s seven New York state chapters have offered in-person support in every county of New York, including care consultations; family, professional and gatekeeper educational programs; a free 24-hour Helpline; expert information and referrals; and support groups. Together with the statewide network of Association chapters, the Coalition strives to create a world without Alzheimer’s. For more information, visit alznys.org.

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. It is the largest nonprofit funder of Alzheimer’s research. The Association’s mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Its vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. Visit alz.org or call 1.800.272.3900.