N.Y. Public Health Law § 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.