N.Y. Public Health Law § 2701: Purpose and functions

§ 2701. Purpose and functions. The department, at the discretion of

the commissioner, shall:

1. Plan public health programs to aid in the prevention,

rehabilitation and control of degenerative diseases and chronic

illnesses.

2. Develop a program for integrating community and institutional

agencies and facilities and for utilization of geriatric techniques to

provide a comprehensive program of prevention, rehabilitation and

control of degenerative diseases and chronic illnesses.

3. Develop a plan for periodic health inventories for the middle-aged

and elderly.

4. Explore possibilities of reducing cost and improving care of the

chronically ill through use of non-institutional as well as

institutional facilities.

5. Develop laboratory, clinical and statistical research on chronic

disease and health problems of older people in consultation with the

state medical society and other agencies, including the state department

of mental hygiene and the state university of New York.

6. (a) Carry on programs of professional education and training of

medical students, physicians and nurses in the prevention,

rehabilitation, medical and nursing care of diseases of older people.

(b) Plan and carry out the Alzheimer's disease assistance program to

enhance support services for people with Alzheimer's disease and their

caregivers. Services to be provided by the program may include:

(i) education and training for health care practitioners, caregivers,

volunteers and informal caregivers regarding services for or the

treatment of persons with Alzheimer's disease;

(ii) counseling for families of persons with Alzheimer's disease;

(iii) respite services for informal caregivers of persons with

Alzheimer's disease; and

(iv) technological assistance for persons with Alzheimer's disease.

The commissioner shall make grants under this paragraph within amounts

appropriated therefore to public and not-for-profit entities including

local health agencies, health care providers, higher educational

institutions affiliated with medical facilities, community-based

organizations and other organizations with demonstrated expertise in

serving persons with Alzheimer's disease. The commissioner may

coordinate grants under this paragraph with the availability of grants

from other sources. The commissioner may also accept or seek grants from

other sources to enhance amounts appropriated to this program.

7. Plan and carry out programs to stimulate the prevention,

rehabilitation and control of chronic illnesses and the promotion of the

health of adult, middle-aged and older persons, through "day hospital"

and a "meals on wheels" demonstration projects.