California State Alzheimer’s Plan Overview
In 2008, the California Legislature passed Senate Bill 491 calling for the development of a state plan. Under the direction of the California Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Advisory Committee, established within the California Health and Human Services Agency, a task force was created including representatives from state agencies, community organizations, underrepresented communities, and academia as well as health care providers, caregivers, and individuals living with the dementia. After incorporating public feedback to address California’s culturally diverse population, the task force published California’s State Plan for Alzheimer’s Disease: An Action Plan for 2011-2021.
California 2025 Policy Priorities
Expand Access to Alzheimer’s Treatments for State Employees
Following the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of Alzheimer’s treatments that slow the progression of the disease, state governments have a duty to ensure access to these treatments in Medicaid and other state programs, such as state employee health plans. With the number of people in California living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia growing each year, the Alzheimer’s Association is urging state lawmakers to require health insurance coverage of Alzheimer’s treatments in state employee health plans, such as CalPERS.
Improve Quality of Home Care Through Dementia Training
People living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia face unique health care needs. A cornerstone of providing quality dementia care is dementia-specific training for home health care staff. Home health aides, however, often do not have sufficient knowledge on dementia to effectively support those living with dementia. The Alzheimer’s Association is calling on state lawmakers to require ongoing evidence and competency-based, dementia-specific training for home health aides who work with older patients or those with cognitive impairment.
Ensure Access to Care Planning and Cognitive Assessments under Medi-Cal
Early intervention can provide individuals living with dementia more time to plan for the future, adopt early lifestyle changes, participate in clinical trials, and attain a higher quality of life for as long as possible. In 2021, SB 48 passed, establishing the Dementia Aware program, which provided free continuing medical education and authorized clinicians to bill Medi-Cal for cognitive assessment and care planning. The Alzheimer’s Association is calling on state lawmakers to pass legislation to make cognitive assessment care planning a permanent billing option for beneficiaries under Medi-Cal.
California State Advocacy Day
Join us in Sacramento on March 5, 2025, for State Advocacy Day! Share your stories with state legislators and urge support for our critical policy priorities to improve the lives of people living with dementia. This year's event will feature the Legislator of the Year award, speeches from elected officials, and representatives from the California Department of Aging. Our government affairs staff will also brief attendees on key issues and the bills we'll be lobbying for in the afternoon. Don't miss this chance to make a difference!
Sign Up to Learn About Advocacy Opportunities in California
Find My Chapter
Together, we’re making an impact. Find an Alzheimer’s Association chapter in your community for more ways to engage.
Contact Us
State Affairs Contact: Eric Dowdy
Phone: 925.269.4310
Email: eedowdy@alz.org
719,700
people living with Alzheimer’s in California
1.4 Million
Californians are providing unpaid care
$4.2 Billion
Medicaid cost of caring for people living with Alzheimer’s (2020)
282.7%
increase in Alzheimer’s deaths 2000-2021
20%
in hospice with a primary diagnosis of dementia
185.5%
increase of geriatricians in California needed to meet the demand in 2050
Resources to Drive Change in California
The following resources developed by AIM and the Alzheimer’s Association will help you learn more about the issues impacting people living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers, how California policymakers are addressing these gaps, and how you can help drive change.