HR 9139

1
House Resolution
2A resolution encouraging participation in National Memory
3Screening Day and honoring the caregivers and health care
4providers of those who have Alzheimer's disease or other
5memory problems.
6
7     WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease is a slow, progressive
8disorder of the brain that results in loss of memory and other
9cognitive function and, eventually, death, and
10     WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of
11death in the United States and currently affects an estimated
122.4 million to 4.5 million Americans, and
13     WHEREAS, in Florida alone, it is estimated that more than
14500,000 people have Alzheimer's disease, and
15     WHEREAS, the stigma associated with the disease results in
16a delay of diagnosis, in some cases up to 6 years, and
17     WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease takes an enormous toll on
18family members, with an estimated one in four acting as
19caregivers for each individual with the disease, and
20     WHEREAS, caregivers for individuals with Alzheimer's
21disease suffer more stress, depression, and health problems than
22caregivers for people with other illnesses, and
23     WHEREAS, recent advancements in scientific research have
24demonstrated the benefits of early medical treatment for
25individuals with Alzheimer's disease, as well as the benefits of
26early access to counseling and other support services for their
27caregivers, and
28     WHEREAS, with an early diagnosis, individuals can avoid or
29correct contributing medical problems, commence available
30therapy, organize current and future care, and enhance self-
31determination and caregivers can identify and embrace community
32support services, and
33     WHEREAS, in direct response to research breakthroughs,
34National Memory Screening Day was established by the Alzheimer's
35Foundation of America (AFA) as a collaborative effort with local
36organizations and health care professionals across the county to
37promote awareness, early detection, and early diagnosis of
38memory impairment so that individuals can obtain proper medical
39treatment, social services, and other resources related to the
40treatment of their condition, and
41     WHEREAS, National Memory Screening Day is held by the AFA
42each third Tuesday in November in recognition of National
43Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month and, on this day, health
44care professionals administer free, confidential, face-to-face
45memory screenings at thousands of sites throughout the United
46States, and
47     WHEREAS, memory screening is not used to diagnose any
48illness, but is used as an indicator to determine whether a
49person might benefit from further examination by a qualified
50health care provider, and
51     WHEREAS, memory screenings are a safe and cost-effective
52intervention to direct at-risk individuals to appropriate
53clinical resources, thus reducing the costs of long-term care or
54hospitalization resulting from undiagnosed complications, and
55     WHEREAS, screenings also greatly benefit those with normal
56scores by checking their memory, allaying fears, and promoting
57chronic disease prevention and successful aging, NOW, THEREFORE,
58
59Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of
60Florida:
61
62     That the Florida House of Representatives encourages all
63Americans with memory concerns or who want to check their memory
64to have annual memory screenings at National Memory Screening
65Day sites or by other qualified professionals.
66     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Florida House of
67Representatives congratulates state and local organizations
68representing individuals with Alzheimer's disease or other
69memory problems, caregivers, and health care professionals for
70their commitment to improving the quality of life of individuals
71and families confronting dementia by providing optimal care and
72services.


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