In June 2011, the New Jersey Alzheimer’s Disease Study Commission was established to study the impact and incidence of Alzheimer’s disease within the state. The Commission was tasked with making recommendations for improving and expanding services within the state to meet the needs of those affected by Alzheimer’s. It included representatives from state agencies, direct service providers, long-term care providers, community organizations, and the faith communities as well as state legislators, caregivers, and individuals living with the disease. The New Jersey Alzheimer’s Disease Study Commission Report was published in August 2016.

Establish a Statewide Alzheimer’s Public Awareness Campaign 

With a rapidly growing and diverse population with dementia, robust public awareness campaigns are needed to raise awareness and mitigate the impact. The Alzheimer’s Association is calling on state lawmakers to appropriate $750,000 to establish a public awareness campaign highlighting the disease’s warning signs, the value of early detection and diagnosis, and the latest available treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia.

Empower Adult Protective Services Workers with Dementia Training 

Adult Protective Services (APS) workers frequently encounter individuals living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia when responding to emergencies and are often the first to observe instances of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Often the first point of intervention for a person living with dementia, APS workers must be able to recognize the signs of dementia and know how to effectively communicate with an individual living with dementia to ensure a timely response for victims of elder abuse. The Alzheimer’s Association is urging state policymakers to require dementia-specific training for APS workers so these professionals can obtain skills to effectively interact with victims of elder abuse who are living with dementia or experiencing cognitive decline.