UCLA Receives $3.2 Million for Dementia Care Program

The UCLA Health System received a $3.2 million project grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to advance and expand care for patients with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.

UCLA is one of four recipients in California. The program is designed to "reduce hospitalizations and shorten hospital stays, reduce emergency room visits, and improve patient health, caregiver health, and quality of care," according to the HHS website. UCLA says it will also train 2500 employees.

UCLA's Alzheimer's and Dementia Care program launched in March.

"UCLA already provides outstanding geriatrics, neurology, psychiatry and primary care clinical services," said Dr. David Reuben, chief of UCLA's geriatrics division and leader of the program. "With the launch of this new program, we now have a comprehensive, coordinated dementia care program that spans across UCLA clinical centers and reaches into the community to meet the needs of these patients and their families. We are honored to receive this award, which will help us further our mission of caring for this ever-growing population."

The Health Care Innovation awards were given to 26 different projects around the country. The funding is expected to enhance care and create a savings of $254 million nationwide over the next three years, according to HHS. Money for the awards comes from the Affordable Care Act.

“We can’t wait to support innovative projects that will save money and make our health care system stronger,” HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “It’s yet another way we are supporting local communities now in their efforts to provide better care and lower cost.”