State Invests $4.5 Million to Address Dementia

The California Department of Public Health has awarded $750,000 each to six local health jurisdictions to help address dementia. The funding will arrive over three consecutive fiscal years.

“California has more aging people than any other state in the nation, including more people living with Alzheimer’s, other age-related brain dementias, and the people who care for them” said former first lady, Maria Shriver.

She added, “The Healthy Brain Initiative will help reveal critical and factual insights on how communities throughout the state can prioritize brain health and care-giving.

As the Chair of the Governor Gavin Newsom’s Task Force on Alzheimer’s Prevention, Preparedness and a Path Forward, we are excited about this initiative and look forward to collaborating as we lead the way to become a cognitively healthy country at every stage of life.”

“There are about 670,000 people in California who are living with Alzheimer’s dementia, with very mild to advanced symptoms,” said Dr. Sonia Angell, California Department of Public Health director and state public health officer. “Their needs and those of the families and caregivers who help support them varies across a spectrum. The time is now to work with communities and partners to find durable solutions.”

Funding will go to Los Angeles County, Placer County, Sacramento County, San Diego County, Santa Clara County and Shasta County to support data and evaluating programs, educating the public, mobilizing local stakeholders in effective community-based interventions and strengthening the knowledge and skills of health care professionals who care for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias and their family caregivers.