New York State Alzheimer’s Plan Overview
The New York State Coordinating Council for Services Related to Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias was established in 2007 by Public Health Law § 2004-a (Chapter 58 of the Laws of 2007, Part B). The Council was formed to facilitate interagency planning and policymaking, review specific agency initiatives for their impact on the care of people living with dementia and their families, and provide a continuing forum for discussions related to creating a comprehensive state policy for Alzheimer’s disease. Charged with providing reports to the governor and the legislature every two years beginning in June 2009, the Council provides policy recommendations for addressing the Alzheimer’s crisis and a review of services to meet the needs of people living with dementia and their families. In December 2009, New York released its first state Alzheimer’s plan, the Annual Report of the New York State Coordinating Council for Services Related to Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias, with updated reports published every two years thereafter. New York released the most recent report in 2019, the 2019 Report of the New York State Coordinating Council for Services Related to Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias.
New York 2025 Policy Priorities
Increase Funding for Alzheimer’s Research
For decades, millions of Americans and their families have waited for advances in Alzheimer’s disease knowledge and improved, effective therapies for Alzheimer’s and other dementia. Funding for scientific research allows scientists to work more rapidly toward discovering solutions for those facing the crushing realities of this relentless disease. New York State is home to 10 Centers of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease (CEADs), recognized by the state and nationally as experts in the diagnosis and care of individuals living with Alzheimer’s and other dementia, and are at the forefront of research and clinical trials seeking effective treatments and cures. The Alzheimer’s Association is urging state lawmakers to increase funding for the centers by $3 million.
Increase Funding for the Alzheimer’s Disease Community Assistance Program
Home and community-based services enable people living with dementia to stay in their homes and be active in their communities for as long as possible, as long-term care can be costly at both the public and private levels. The Alzheimer’s Disease Community Assistance Program (AlzCap) is designed to postpone or prevent nursing home placements and provides support services to individuals living with dementia, caregivers, and communities that are disproportionately impacted by dementia. The Alzheimer’s Association is calling on state legislators to support a $2 million increase in funding for AlzCap. This increase would support the program’s ability to achieve its grant initiatives.
Establish a Dementia Programs Database
More than 543,000 caregivers in New York provided 879 million hours of unpaid care in 2024. Over half of caregivers in New York are living with chronic health conditions. Caregivers and individuals living with dementia have to navigate a complex network of services and benefits to meet their care needs. With the prevalence of Alzheimer’s and other dementia projected to grow, New York must continue to build its infrastructure to provide accessible support to caregivers and individuals living with dementia. The Alzheimer’s Association is calling on lawmakers to pass legislation requiring the Office of the Aging, in conjunction with the Department of Health, to establish a database of successful programs serving individuals with Alzheimer’s and other dementia.
New York State Advocacy Day
Join us for Advocacy Week February 17-21 for in-district meetings with State Senators and Assemblymembers, as well as daily digital advocacy actions culminating with a day at the Capitol in Albany, where advocates will meet with Legislative Leadership, Health Committee members, and Legislative Champions. Don't miss this chance to make a difference!
Sign Up to Learn About Advocacy Opportunities in New York
Find My Chapter
Together, we’re making an impact. Find an Alzheimer’s Association chapter in your community for more ways to engage.
426,500
people living with Alzheimer’s in New York
543,000
New Yorkers are providing unpaid care
$5.5 Billion
Medicaid cost of caring for people living with Alzheimer’s (2020)
3,582
deaths from Alzheimer’s in 2021
16%
in hospice with a primary diagnosis of dementia
44.0%
increase of geriatricians in New York needed to meet the demand in 2050
Resources to Drive Change in New York
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 New York policymakers are addressing these gaps, and how you can help drive change.