2012 New York Consolidated Laws
PBH - Public Health
Article 20-A - (2005 - 2009) ALZHEIMER'S COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
2005 - Legislative intent.

 
    §  2005. Legislative intent. 1. The legislature finds that Alzheimer's
  disease and related dementing  illnesses  which  destroy  certain  vital
  cells in the brain, currently affect more than four hundred thousand New
  Yorkers. Although these diseases are not limited to the elderly, medical
  researchers have projected that Alzheimer's disease and related diseases
  of  the  brain  will  show a significant increase in numbers to coincide
  with the growth in  the  population  of  the  elderly.  Because  of  the
  inability  of  persons with Alzheimer's and related dementias to live in
  safety or undertake even the simplest  tasks  of  daily  living  without
  cueing,  assistance  and/or supervision, this population requires a high
  level of care  throughout  the  moderate  and  advanced  stages  of  the
  disease.   The  reconfiguration  of  the  health  care  delivery  system
  currently underway necessitates  special  recognition  of  this  patient
  population  which  often,  while sometimes otherwise physically healthy,
  demands this high level of care because of  their  cognitive  impairment
  and other dementia symptoms.
    2. In response to the needs of New York state's Alzheimer's community,
  and  stemming  from  within  this  community,  a  statewide  network  of
  not-for-profit   corporations   have   been    established,    dedicated
  specifically  to  responding  at  the  local  level to the needs of this
  community. This  network  provides  important  support  and  educational
  services  to  caregivers  of  persons  with  Alzheimer's disease. Eighty
  percent of all Alzheimer's care  is  provided  at  home  and/or  in  the
  community,  and  is delivered by family caregivers. By supporting family
  caregivers and informal supports at home and in  the  community,  costly
  institutionalization can be significantly delayed or avoided altogether.
  This  results  in  a more effective utilization of resources.  It is the
  intent of  the  legislature  to  encourage  and  foster  such  home  and
  community-based    assistance   through   this   existing   network   of
  not-for-profit corporations. It is further important  in  this  time  of
  changing resources and resource allocation, to encourage this network to
  work  closely  with  the  department  to  ensure  that  the  Alzheimer's
  community is appropriately educated and included  with  respect  to  all
  available health care options.