SUNY Downstate Receives $2.35 Million Grant for Alzheimer’s Disease Care
Jan 20, 2016
Five-year Grant from New York State Department of Health Creates Center of Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease Designation
Brooklyn, NY – SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University has received a $2,350,000
award from the New York State Department of Health to expand its care of persons with
Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
Under the direction of Carl I. Cohen, MD, Distinguished Service Professor and director
of the Division of Geriatric Psychiatry at SUNY Downstate, the Brooklyn Alzheimer’s
Disease Assistance Center (BADAC) at Downstate has been recognized with a Center of
Excellence for Alzheimer’s Disease award for the next five years. The designation
is one of six awarded statewide, and currently the only one in New York City.
“This award affirms Downstate’s leadership in Brooklyn in the care of Alzheimer’s
patients and their caregivers,” said Dr. Cohen. “The new funding will also enhance
Downstate’s capacity to address health disparities in the treatment and management
of Alzheimer’s among Brooklyn’s many diverse minority and ethnic communities.” The
additional support will enable BADAC to create three satellite programs in Brooklyn
and to provide outreach services to primary care physicians and their patients/caregivers
in health shortage areas in the borough.
The Brooklyn Alzheimer’s Disease Assistance Center offers comprehensive assessment
and a full range of treatment for memory disorders. Counseling, educational, and supporting
services include:
- Comprehensive memory evaluations including psychiatric, neurological and physical examination
- Neuroimaging such as MRI, CT Scan, and PET
- On-going treatment for memory, mood, and behavioral problems
- Social services to provide access to additional resources including legal, Medicaid, home care, and day programs
- Opportunities to participate in new treatment and drug trials.
- Family support groups
- Patient activity groups
- Public speakers for community groups
- Caregiver and home health aide training
- Volunteer companion services.
With its expanded staffing, BADAC will offer integrated, one-stop care for patients
and caregivers that will include geriatric psychiatrists, geriatric medicine specialists,
a behavioral neurologist, a nurse practitioner, social workers, care managers, and
a neuropsychologist. The program will also serve as a training site for students,
residents, and fellows in geriatric psychiatry and medicine. Many of the staff are
bi-lingual.
The Brooklyn Alzheimer’s Disease Assistance Center is located at 370 Lenox Road, Brooklyn,
NY 11226. For appointments or further information, please call 718-287-4806.
### About SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn is one of four academic health centers
(AMCs) in The State University of New York (SUNY) 64-campus system and the only SUNY
AMC in New York City dedicated to health education, research, and patient care for
the borough’s 2.7 million residents. Its flagship hospital, University Hospital at
Downstate (UHD), is a teaching hospital and benefits from the expertise of Downstate’s
exceptional medical school and world-class academic center research facilities. With
a staff of over 800 physicians representing 53 specialties and subspecialties, Downstate
offers comprehensive healthcare services to the community. UHD provides high-risk neonatal and infant services, pediatric nephrology, and dialysis
for kidney diseases and is the only kidney transplantation program in Brooklyn. Beyond
its clinical expertise, Downstate houses a range of esteemed educational institutions,
including its College of Medicine, College of Nursing, School of Health Professions,
School of Graduate Studies, and School of Public Health. Downstate fosters innovation
through its multifaceted biotechnology initiative, the Biotechnology Incubator and
BioBAT, which support early-stage and more mature biotech companies.