SUPERVISOR DIANNE JACOB

SUPERVISOR DAVE ROBERTS

San Diego County Board of Supervisors
Contacts: Steve Schmidt, 619-206-9108; Adam Kaye, 619- 531-5858

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NEWS RELEASE
3/17/2015

COUNTY SUPERVISORS STEP UP FIGHT

AGAINST ALZHEIMERS EPIDEMIC
The county Board of Supervisors on Tuesday ramped up the regions fight against Alzheimers
disease as evidence mounts over the growing toll of the disease on families and taxpayers.
Supervisors unanimously approved a detailed, multi-year plan to speed up the search for a cure
and boost services for those afflicted and their caregivers. The plan was developed by
participants in The Alzheimers Project, a regional initiative launched in 2014 and led by
Supervisor Dianne Jacob and Supervisor Dave Roberts.
Last year we approved a promising blueprint for attacking Alzheimers. Today we moved to
deliver on that promise, Jacob said. Alzheimers and other dementias are reaching epidemic
levels and will overwhelm more and more families, along with health care providers and
taxpayers, if we dont act.
Tuesdays vote comes on the heels of two new county reports that provide the most detailed
snapshot yet on the escalating impact of Alzheimers and other dementias across the county.
About 60,000 residents have the disease, now the regions third leading cause of death.
I am so pleased by the progress we're making on The Alzheimer's Project and the depth of the
new reports, said Supervisor Dave Roberts, vice chairman of the board. The findings validate
our efforts in addressing this serious, public health issue.
One of the reports, The Economic Burden of Alzheimers Disease and Other Dementias in San
Diego County, examines the financial toll. It estimates the annual cost to hospitalize local
dementia patients will roughly double by 2030, to upwards of $1.5 billion.
By that same year, the expected lifetime cost of caring for all those with dementia will range
from $21 billion to $42 billion, adding to the tremendous financial strain on households, hospitals
and the community.

The second report, Alzheimers Disease and Other Dementias in San Diego County, looks at
the prevalence of Alzheimers and the role of caregivers. It estimates the number of older
residents with dementia will increase 56 percent by 2030.
The reports were released Friday by the countys Health and Human Services Agency. County
senior epidemiologist Leslie Ray spearheaded the studies.
A broad coalition of community leaders and experts are participating in The Alzheimers Project,
including San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer, philanthropist Darlene Shiley, Sheriff Bill Gore,
Alzheimers Association President/CEO Mary Ball, along with physicians, residential care facility
owners and world-class researchers.
The Alzheimers Project is breaking new ground in addressing this epidemic, Ball said. The
level of collaboration is unprecedented and bodes well for the challenges ahead.
With Tuesdays vote, the Board of Supervisors adopted a multi-front plan of attack on
Alzheimers, along with a timetable. The key initiatives include:
Launching an effort to raise $7 million over five years to bolster drug discovery research in San
Diego to cure the disease. The Alzheimers Association is overseeing the fund, called
Collaboration 4 Cure, and is seeking donations. The first round of research awards may be
granted within a few months.
Allowing online registration for families that want to enroll a relative in the Sheriff Departments
Take Me Home Program. The program assists those with dementia and others who may be
prone to wander.
Boosting training starting this year for those who work with Alzheimers patients and expand
services and support for those with the disease and their caregivers. The Alzheimers Project is
working with local institutions and others to pursue grants to help fund these efforts, which will
include improving physician awareness of existing services.
Developing the regions first clinical standards for the screening, diagnosis and management
of Alzheimers and other dementias. A team of doctors and health care system executives are
already working on an initial draft of the standards.
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