UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Statement On Passage of AB 453 in California

Washington, D.C. (July 18, 2019) - UsAgainstAlzheimer’s chairman and co-founder George Vradenburg today released the following statement regarding the passage of AB 453 into law in California.

"We applaud the leadership of Gov. Newsom and the California state legislature for making AB 453 a reality. Ensuring that all EMTs receive dementia training and guidance on how to best interact with and treat those living with cognitive impairment is a necessary step towards readying our entire healthcare system to improve the lives of those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. In addition, this new law presents the perfect example of how we can work to establish and sustain dementia-friendly communities all across the country.

"Alzheimer’s and dementia – along with the preventive actions emerging science suggests we can take to help ensure brain health across the lifespan – must become an integral part of medical professionals’ education and training from Day 1. When properly trained to deal with the unique aspects of a patient living with Alzheimer’s or dementia, particularly in an emergency situation, there is no doubt that those they treat will receive better care. This new law encourages a systemwide readiness that is desperately needed across the country for medical professionals of all kinds.

"Finally, we also applaud our state and local partners – Alzheimer's Los Angeles, Alzheimer's Orange County, and Alzheimer's San Diego – who worked hard to put this bill in front of California state officials. The leadership of these fierce advocates, along with that of the California state government, presents a roadmap for success on this issue. Other states should take notice as we look outside California for more forward-thinking legislation like AB 453 to help prepare our system to best support those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia."