HR 9139

1	House Resolution
2	A resolution encouraging participation in National Memory
3	Screening Day and honoring the caregivers and health care
4	providers of those who have Alzheimer's disease or other
5	memory problems.
6
7	WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease is a slow, progressive
8	disorder of the brain that results in loss of memory and other
9	cognitive function and, eventually, death, and
10	WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of
11	death in the United States and currently affects an estimated
12	2.4 million to 4.5 million Americans, and
13	WHEREAS, in Florida alone, it is estimated that more than
14	500,000 people have Alzheimer's disease, and
15	WHEREAS, the stigma associated with the disease results in
16	a delay of diagnosis, in some cases up to 6 years, and
17	WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease takes an enormous toll on
18	family members, with an estimated one in four acting as
19	caregivers for each individual with the disease, and
20	WHEREAS, caregivers for individuals with Alzheimer's
21	disease suffer more stress, depression, and health problems than
22	caregivers for people with other illnesses, and
23	WHEREAS, recent advancements in scientific research have
24	demonstrated the benefits of early medical treatment for
25	individuals with Alzheimer's disease, as well as the benefits of
26	early access to counseling and other support services for their
27	caregivers, and
28	WHEREAS, with an early diagnosis, individuals can avoid or
29	correct contributing medical problems, commence available
30	therapy, organize current and future care, and enhance self-
31	determination and caregivers can identify and embrace community
32	support services, and
33	WHEREAS, in direct response to research breakthroughs,
34	National Memory Screening Day was established by the Alzheimer's
35	Foundation of America (AFA) as a collaborative effort with local
36	organizations and health care professionals across the county to
37	promote awareness, early detection, and early diagnosis of
38	memory impairment so that individuals can obtain proper medical
39	treatment, social services, and other resources related to the
40	treatment of their condition, and
41	WHEREAS, National Memory Screening Day is held by the AFA
42	each third Tuesday in November in recognition of National
43	Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month and, on this day, health
44	care professionals administer free, confidential, face-to-face
45	memory screenings at thousands of sites throughout the United
46	States, and
47	WHEREAS, memory screening is not used to diagnose any
48	illness, but is used as an indicator to determine whether a
49	person might benefit from further examination by a qualified
50	health care provider, and
51	WHEREAS, memory screenings are a safe and cost-effective
52	intervention to direct at-risk individuals to appropriate
53	clinical resources, thus reducing the costs of long-term care or
54	hospitalization resulting from undiagnosed complications, and
55	WHEREAS, screenings also greatly benefit those with normal
56	scores by checking their memory, allaying fears, and promoting
57	chronic disease prevention and successful aging, NOW, THEREFORE,
58
59	Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of
60	Florida:
61
62	That the Florida House of Representatives encourages all
63	Americans with memory concerns or who want to check their memory
64	to have annual memory screenings at National Memory Screening
65	Day sites or by other qualified professionals.
66	BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Florida House of
67	Representatives congratulates state and local organizations
68	representing individuals with Alzheimer's disease or other
69	memory problems, caregivers, and health care professionals for
70	their commitment to improving the quality of life of individuals
71	and families confronting dementia by providing optimal care and
72	services.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.