Date: 02/11/2014

Final
Presentation by the Alzheimer's Association

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC HEALTH CARE & HUMAN SERVICES

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
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01:33 PM -- Presentation by the Alzheimer's Association

Linda Mitchell, Alzheimer's Association of Colorado, began the presentation on Alzheimer's Disease, which is the most common form of dementia. She noted that 1 in 9 individuals over the age of 65 and 1 in 3 individuals over the age of 85 will develop the disease. She relayed statistics related to the prevalence of Alzheimer's Disease in Colorado. She described the services provided by the Alzheimer's Association. She explained that in 2008, the Colorado General Assembly passed legislation requiring the development of a state plan to address Alzheimer's Disease, and the plan was introduced in 2010. She discussed the recommendations of the plan, which included training for caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's Disease, the creation of a statewide awareness campaign focused on the early detection of Alzheimer's Disease, and including the cognitive impairment module on the Colorado Risk Factor Surveillance Survey. She noted that the association has launched a training program for law enforcement professionals. Ms. Mitchell explained that there is also an effort to develop an Alzheimer's Disease research center in Colorado. She responded to questions from the committee regarding the differences between dementia and Alzheimer's Disease. Two handouts were distributed to the committee (Attachments A and B).

14HsePHS0211AttachA.pdf14HsePHS0211AttachA.pdf 14HsePHS0211AttachB.pdf14HsePHS0211AttachB.pdf

01:40 PM

Dr. Huntington Potter, University of Colorado Alzheimer's Research Center, testified regarding the University of Colorado's efforts to be designated by the National Institutes of Aging (NIA) as an NIA Alzheimer's Disease Center. He stated that the plan for the center is to provide diagnosis and treatment services to Colorado citizens and set up a platform for research. He discussed current avenues of research regarding Alzheimer's Disease, and explained the basis of state's application to the NIA focusing on new approaches for treatment. He responded to questions from the committee regarding treatments for Alzheimer's Disease. Representative Primavera asked if it would help for the committee to write a letter of support to the NIA and Dr. Potter indicated that it would.