​​Alzheimer's Disease Program

Mission 

To relieve the human burden and economic cost associated with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRDs), and to assist in ultimately discovering the cause and treatment of these diseases through:

• Providing state-of the-art comprehensive diagnosis, treatment, and support services for individuals with memory problems;
• Improving the quality of care for persons with Alzheimer's disease;
• Increasing and improving training and education to health care professionals, students, caregivers, and the general public;
• Increasing research into the areas of basic science, diagnosis, treatment, behavioral management, caregiving, and epidemiology; and
• Translating research findings and technical advances into clinical practice, medical education, and the community.

Program Background

In 1984, legislation was enacted that established the Alzheimer's Disease Program (ADP). To meet the legislative mandates of relieving the human burden and economic cost of ADRDs, and to assist in ultimately discovering the cause and treatment of these diseases, the Program:

• Established and administers a statewide network of 10 California Alzheimer's Disease Centers (CADCs) at university medical centers. The CADCs are dedicated to improving the quality of life of persons affected with Alzheimer's disease and their families by providing diagnostic and treatment services; professional training for medical residents, postdoctoral fellows, nurses, interns, and medical students; and community education, such as caregiver training and support.
• Established and administers the Alzheimer's Disease Research Fund, which awards grants through a competitive process to scientists in California engaged in the study of ADRDs.

Key Partners include: California Department of Aging, Alzheimer's Association, California Health and Human Services (CHHS) Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Advisory Committee, Caregiver Resources Centers, and Area Agencies on Aging.

How We Get There

California Master Plan for Aging, January 2021

The California Master Plan for Aging (PDF) outlines five bold goals, 23 strategies, and 100+ action-ready initiatives to build a California for All Ages by 2030. It also includes a Data Dashboard for Aging to measure progress and a Local Playbook to drive partnership that help meet these goals together.

The Master Plan calls on all California communities to build a California for All Ages: for older Californians currently living through the many different stages of the second half of life; for younger generations who can expect to live longer lives than their elders; for communities of all ages – family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and caregivers –surrounding older adults.

Ten Recommendations for Alzheimer's Prevention, Preparedness, and the Path Forward, November 2020

In 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom formed the Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease Prevention, Preparedness and the Path Forward to develop recommendations on how California can prevent and prepare for the growing number of Alzheimer's cases and forge a path forward for families. Led by Maria Shriver, Former First Lady of California and a longtime advocate for women and people living with Alzheimer's, the Task Force is made up of a diverse group of consumers, caregivers, neuroscientists, researchers, health care providers, innovators, family members, education systems, private-sector leaders, and media professionals. The final Recommendations for Alzheimer's Prevention, Preparedness, and the Path Forward (PDF) are a roadmap on how California proposes to address Alzheimer's disease prevention.