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.