---
title: O.C.G.A. § 31-8-180. Definitions.
collection: code
id: 31-8-180
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 31-8-180 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/31-8-180
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/31-8-180.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/31-8-180/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t31-(v23)-2025-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=da7ded69_0#page=574
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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index: https://georgiacommons.org/code/index.md
version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Session of the General Assembly of Georgia
heading_path: HEALTH / CARE AND PROTECTION OF INDIGENT AND ELDERLY PATIENTS / DISCLOSURE OF TREATMENT OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE OR ALZHEIMER’S RELATED DEMENTIA
---

# O.C.G.A. § 31-8-180. Definitions.

As used in this article, the term:

(1) “Alzheimer’s disease” or “Alzheimer’s related dementia” means a progressive, degenerative disease or condition that attacks the brain and results in impaired memory, thinking, and behavior.

(2) “Care,” “treatment,” and “therapeutic activities” shall not include the sole activity of marketing, selling, manufacturing, or dispensing medication which is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration and prescribed by a person licensed to practice medicine in accordance with Chapter 34 of Title 43 and informational or support services related to the use of such medication.

(3) “Department” means the Department of Community Health.

## History

Code 1981, § 31-8-180, enacted by Ga. L. 1995, p. 841, § 1; Ga. L. 2011, p. 705, § 4-14/HB 214.

## Cross References

Alzheimer’s and related dementias state plan, § 49-6-90 et seq.

## Code Commission Notes

Pursuant to Code Section 28-9-5, in 1995, a hyphen was deleted between “Alzheimer’s” and “related” in paragraph (1).

## Law Reviews

For article on the 2011 amendment of this Code section, see 28 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 147 (2011).