§ 2701 — Purpose and functions

§ 2701. Purpose and functions. The department, at the discretion of\nthe commissioner, shall:\n 1. Plan public health programs to aid in the prevention,\nrehabilitation and control of degenerative diseases and chronic\nillnesses.\n 2. Develop a program for integrating community and institutional\nagencies and facilities and for utilization of geriatric techniques to\nprovide a comprehensive program of prevention, rehabilitation and\ncontrol of degenerative diseases and chronic illnesses.\n 3. Develop a plan for periodic health inventories for the middle-aged\nand elderly.\n 4. Explore possibilities of reducing cost and improving care of the\nchronically ill through use of non-institutional as well as\ninstitutional facilities.\n 5. Develop laboratory, clinical and statistical research on chronic\ndisease and health problems of older people in consultation with the\nstate medical society and other agencies, including the state department\nof mental hygiene and the state university of New York.\n 6. (a) Carry on programs of professional education and training of\nmedical students, physicians and nurses in the prevention,\nrehabilitation, medical and nursing care of diseases of older people.\n (b) Plan and carry out the Alzheimer's disease assistance program to\nenhance support services for people with Alzheimer's disease and their\ncaregivers. Services to be provided by the program may include:\n (i) education and training for health care practitioners, caregivers,\nvolunteers and informal caregivers regarding services for or the\ntreatment of persons with Alzheimer's disease;\n (ii) counseling for families of persons with Alzheimer's disease;\n (iii) respite services for informal caregivers of persons with\nAlzheimer's disease; and\n (iv) technological assistance for persons with Alzheimer's disease.\n The commissioner shall make grants under this paragraph within amounts\nappropriated therefore to public and not-for-profit entities including\nlocal health agencies, health care providers, higher educational\ninstitutions affiliated with medical facilities, community-based\norganizations and other organizations with demonstrated expertise in\nserving persons with Alzheimer's disease. The commissioner may\ncoordinate grants under this paragraph with the availability of grants\nfrom other sources. The commissioner may also accept or seek grants from\nother sources to enhance amounts appropriated to this program.\n 7. Plan and carry out programs to stimulate the prevention,\nrehabilitation and control of chronic illnesses and the promotion of the\nhealth of adult, middle-aged and older persons, through "day hospital"\nand a "meals on wheels" demonstration projects.\n