AB 1955: Alzheimer’s disease and dementia: public awareness campaign.

Existing law requires the California Department of Aging to designate various private nonprofit or public agencies as area agencies on aging to work for the interests of older Californians within a planning and service area and provide a broad array of social and nutritional services. Existing law also requires the department to adopt policies and guidelines to carry out the purposes of the Alzheimers Day Care-Resource Center program, which provides access to specialized day care resource centers for individuals with Alzheimers disease and other dementia-related disorders and support to their families and caregivers.

Existing law requires the department to make efforts to increase public awareness about areas of importance to Californias older individuals, their families, and other caregivers. Existing law requires the department to establish an Aging Information and Education Fund, from funds made available pursuant to the annual Budget Act, to implement public awareness of various issues, including at least medication management, elder abuse prevention, and a toll-free line for linkage to local service networks.

This bill would require the department to develop and implement a public awareness campaign, as specified, to reduce stigma and raise public awareness of the warning signs of Alzheimers disease and dementia in order to promote early detection and accurate diagnosis. The bill would also make related legislative findings and declarations.