Educating California

Who will Care for California's Seniors?

The baby boomers are at the precipice of making up the fastest-growing segment of the population older than 65 and the shortage of qualified elder care specialists is expected to grow more acute. Since the primary risk factor for Alzheimer's disease is older age, there will be a substantial increase in the number of people with the disease who will need care.

The CADCs are Building a Vital Workforce

The Centers are providing training for physicians, nurses, physician's assistants, health care professionals, and research investigators. Since 2000, over 541,000 professionals and students have received training and education at the Centers through fellowships, residencies, internships, rotations, clerkships, continuing medical education courses, academic classes, lectures, and presentations.

• Through their clinical training programs, the CADC network helps build the needed workforce for California, which translates to service for many more patients than just those seen in CADC clinics.
• The CADCs have shaped the practice of doctors, nurses, psychologists, social workers and other providers who now staff hospitals and clinics throughout the state.
• The CADCs training of professional care providers contributes to the value and economic impact of residential care facilities and day care centers, which deliver care to hundreds of thousands of individuals in need.

Many students who have received training through the CADCs have decided to pursue professional careers in aging and dementia. If not pursuing careers in aging and dementia, through the training received at the Centers, these students will be better equipped physicians and healthcare providers in managing the complicated dementia-related care of seniors.

The CADCs are Educating the Public, Caregivers, and People Living with AD

The CADCs have made daily life more manageable for thousands of people who struggle with the demands of caring for a demented loved one through crisis management, support groups and community educational efforts.