The New York City Department of the Aging is set to establish outreach and education programs for Alzheimer's disease after Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill on Nov. 22 to include Alzheimer's and dementia in the State Health Care and Wellness Education and Outreach Program.
The bill, proposed by Senator Iwen Chu and Assemblymember Nader Sayegh, will ensure that individuals and families of more than 427,000 New Yorkers affected by Alzheimer's, including between the ages 30s and 40s, receive necessary support.
Senetor Chu commended the signing of the legislation for its impact on families with members suffering from Alzheimers.
“This legislation would address a dire need for families across the state, especially immigrant families. By providing this support, we can delay nursing home placement," said Senator Chu. "This will facilitate and ensure that identification and intervention occur earlier, and families are linked with the appropriate support to help provide a good quality of life for the individual with the disease.”
Eleonora C. Tornatore-Mikesh, president and chief executive officer of CaringKind, said the legislation will help develop of outreach and education programs for affected New Yorkers.
"We believe that legislative support is crucial in expanding outreach and education programs to better serve our diverse communities. By developing and funding such initiatives, we can enhance public awareness, provide essential resources, and support caregivers and individuals living with dementia. This commitment aligns with our ongoing efforts to address the needs of all communities affected by these conditions," she said.
