For World Alzheimer’s Day, State Health Commissioner Recognizes Work of Regional Centers for Alzheimer Assistance

On September 21, Commissioner Highlights Critical Services Available Throughout State

ALBANY, NY. (September 21, 2011) – In observance of World Alzheimer's Day on September 21, 2011, State Health Commissioner Nirav R. Shah, M.D., M.P.H., highlighted the work of nine Alzheimer's Disease Assistance Centers (ADAC) across New York that support patients, health care providers, and caretakers.

Commissioner Shah also announced that New York State Department of Health official David Hoffman has been named to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Advisory Council on Alzheimer's Research, Care and Services.

"Alzheimer's disease presents unique health care challenges and requires specialized plans of treatment," State Health Commissioner Nirav R. Shah, M.D., M.P.H., said. "The nine regional ADACs serve as essential resources for health care providers and for individuals and families coping with this disease."

There are an estimated 330,000 New Yorkers with Alzheimer's disease and more than 990,000 Alzheimer's disease and dementia caregivers in the state. The nine regional Alzheimer's Disease Assistance Centers, which are affiliated with hospitals and universities, serve as regional Centers of Excellence for comprehensive and coordinated medical services which are essential to allowing patients to remain in their communities.

Services provided include the identification, management, and treatment of patients with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, support for physicians in developing care management plans, continuing training for medical professionals, and training and support for patients and their caregivers. The ADACs collaborate with the New York State Alzheimer's Association Chapters through the Alzheimer's Disease Community Assistance Program in their regions to promote education and self-help groups.

The nine ADACs in New York and their affiliations are:

  • ADAC of the Capital District - Albany Medical College,
  • ADAC of Long Island - The Research Foundation of State University of New York at Stony Brook,
  • ADAC of the Finger Lakes - University of Rochester,
  • ADAC of the Hudson Valley - The Winifred Masterson Burke Medical Research Institute,
  • ADAC of Central NY - The Research Foundation of State University of NY at Syracuse,
  • NYU ADAC of NY - New York University School of Medicine,
  • Mount Sinai ADAC of NY - Mount Sinai School of Medicine,
  • ADAC of Northeastern NY - The Research Foundation of State University of New York at Plattsburgh, and
  • ADAC of Western NY - The Research Foundation of State University of New York at Buffalo.

The State Health Department's David Hoffman will be one of 12 non-federal members of the federal Advisory Council, which will meet quarterly to develop a national plan to address Alzheimer's disease and advise the HHS Secretary on federal Alzheimer' s disease programs. Hoffman oversees the development and implementation of the New York State Plan to address Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. He also serves as a clinical associated professor at the University of Albany School of Public Health and adjunct professor at Maria College. He is the chair of the National Policy Committee of the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors, and co-chair of the Research to Prevention (R2P) Coalition in Washington.

Alzheimer's disease affects 5.1 million Americans, and by 2050, more than 20 million people are projected to have the disease. By 2050, it is projected thatover 1.3 million New Yorkers will have the disease.

For more information about Alzheimer's disease or the ADAC programs, please visit http://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/conditions/dementia/. For information about education and support available through the Alzheimer's Association, please call toll free 1-800-272-3900.