Alzheimer's Education and Outreach

Section 1. The elder law is amended by adding a new section 224 to read as follows:

§ 224. Alzheimer's disease outreach and education program. 1. The office, in consultation with the commissioner of health, is hereby authorized and directed to establish an Alzheimer's disease outreach and education program ("the program") for medical and non-medical professionals, including physicians, nurses, and social services personnel who work with older New Yorkers and their families, and for consumers, caregivers and other individuals and organizations working with or on behalf of persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia. The purpose of the program shall be to:

(a) promote earlier identification of dementia in health care facilities including but not limited to hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and assisted living facilities;

(b) provide information and assistance on where to find community support services, including caregiver support groups and services, respite, care management and to serve as a clearinghouse for related information; and

(c) promote public awareness of and access to resources and information concerning Alzheimer's disease and any other dementia related matters that the commissioner and director of the office for the aging deem appropriate.

EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets

[ ] is old law to be omitted.

LBD00968-01-7

A. 949 2

2. The program shall include but shall not be limited to any of the following elements:

(a) educational and informational materials in print, audio, visual, electronic or other media;

(b) training curriculum including best practices for institutions of higher learning and for ongoing in-service training;

(c) public service announcements and advertisements; and

(d) establishment of toll-free telephone hotlines and electronic services to provide information.

3. The office shall produce, make available to others for reproduction, or contract with others to develop materials mentioned in this section as the director deems appropriate. These materials shall be made available to the public free of charge as appropriate or for a fee under certain circumstances. The director may request the commissioner of health to require any health care provider to make these materials available to patients where appropriate and encourage non-medical professionals to make them available to the clients they serve.

4. In exercising any of his or her powers under this section, the director shall consult with appropriate health care professionals and providers, senior service providers, organizations representing persons with dementia or cognitive impairments, consumers and patients or organizations representing them.

5. The director shall ensure that all information and materials produced under this section are maintained and updated to reflect best practice recommendations and are culturally and linguistically appropriate for the communities served by the Alzheimer's disease outreach and education program. The office shall post electronic copies of outreach material, including best practices, on its website. The department of health shall post the same information on its website.

6. The director may appoint advisory councils relating to various matters under this section. All such councils shall include representation of health care professionals, providers, senior service providers, organizations representing persons with dementia or cognitive impairments, consumers, patients and other appropriate interests. The members of the councils shall receive no compensation for their services, but shall be allowed their actual and necessary expenses incurred in performance of their duties.

7. In addition to state funds appropriated under this section, the director may accept grants from public or private sources. The director, in administering this section, shall seek to coordinate programs and activities under this section with other public and private programs, and may undertake joint or cooperative programs with other public or private entities.

8. The director may make rules and regulations necessary and appropriate for implementation of this section.

§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.