Declare Alzheimer's Awareness Month

Senate Resolution No. 2249 BY: Senator HANNON MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim November 2017, as Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, in conjunction with the observance of National Family Caregiver Month in the State of New York WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease is a slow, progressive disorder of the brain that results in loss of memory and other cognitive function and, eventually death; and WHEREAS, Today, more than five million Americans have Alzheimer's disease, including approximately 200,000 individuals younger than the age of 65 who have younger-onset Alzheimer's disease; and WHEREAS, Women are more likely to be diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease; more than two-thirds of all those suffering from this devastating disease are women; and WHEREAS, In New York alone, it is estimated that more than 390,000 aged 65 and older are currently affected by Alzheimer's disease; and WHEREAS, The stigma associated with Alzheimer's disease results in a delay of diagnosis, in some cases up to six years; and WHEREAS, In 2017, the direct costs to American society of caring for those with Alzheimer's disease will total an estimated $259 billion; and WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease takes an enormous toll on family members, with an estimated one in four acting as caregivers for each individual with the disease; and WHEREAS, There are over one million family caregivers providing over one billion hours of unpaid care to Alzheimer's patients; and WHEREAS, Family caregivers for individuals with Alzheimer's disease suffer more stress, depression and health problems than caregivers of people with other illnesses; and WHEREAS, Recent advancements in scientific research have demonstrated the benefits of early medical treatment for individuals with Alzheimer's disease, as well as the benefits of early access to counseling and other support services for their caregivers; and WHEREAS, With early diagnosis, individuals can avoid or correct contributing medical problems, commence available therapy, organize current and future care and enhance self-determination, and caregivers can identify and embrace community support services; and WHEREAS, National Memory Screening Day was established in 2003 by the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) as a collaborative effort with local organizations and health care professionals across the country to promote awareness, early detection, and early diagnosis of memory impairment, so that individuals can obtain proper medical treatment, social services and other resources related to their condition; and WHEREAS, Because the demand and need for screenings exists year-round, AFA expanded the program by creating the Community Memory Screening and Awareness-Raising Education (C.A.R.E.S.) program to encourage local sites nationwide to host a memory screening event multiple times throughout the year; and WHEREAS, Memory screenings are a safe and cost-effective intervention to direct at-risk individuals to appropriate clinical resources, thus reducing the costs of long-term care or hospitalization resulting from undiagnosed complications; and WHEREAS, Screenings also greatly benefit those with normal scores, by checking their memory, allaying fears and promoting chronic disease prevention and successful aging; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim November 2017, as Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, in conjunction with the observance of National Caregiver Month in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York, the Long Island Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, and the Alzheimer's Foundation of America.