[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 185 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 185

    Supporting the goals and ideals of National Alzheimer's Disease 
   Awareness Month and National Memory Screening Day, including the 
development of a national health policy on dementia screening and care.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 16, 2009

 Mr. Warner submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
        the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
    Supporting the goals and ideals of National Alzheimer's Disease 
   Awareness Month and National Memory Screening Day, including the 
development of a national health policy on dementia screening and care.

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;
Whereas Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United 
        States and currently affects an estimated 2,400,000 to 4,500,000 people 
        in the United States;
Whereas the stigma associated with the disease results in a delay of diagnosis, 
        in some cases up to 6 years;
Whereas Alzheimer's disease takes an enormous toll on family members, with an 
        estimated 1 in 4 people in the United States acting as caregivers for 
        each individual with the disease;
Whereas caregivers for individuals with Alzheimer's disease suffer more stress, 
        depression, and health problems than caregivers of people with other 
        illnesses;
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;
Whereas with early diagnosis, individuals with the disease 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;
Whereas in direct response to research breakthroughs, National Memory Screening 
        Day was established 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;
Whereas National Memory Screening Day is held by AFA each November in 
        recognition of National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month and on this 
        day, qualified health care professionals administer free, confidential, 
        face-to-face memory screenings at thousands of sites throughout the 
        United States;
Whereas memory screening is not used to diagnose any illness but is used as an 
        indicator to determine whether a person might benefit from further 
        examination by a qualified health care provider;
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 the Senate--
            (1) recognizes the seriousness of Alzheimer's disease and 
        the toll it takes on individuals with the disease and their 
        caregivers;
            (2) acknowledges that more outreach and education is needed 
        to eliminate the stigma associated with the disease and assist 
        individuals and their caregivers in identifying available 
        screenings, treatments and support;
            (3) encourages all people in the United States with memory 
        concerns or who want to check their memory to have annual 
        memory screenings at National Memory Screening Day sites or by 
        other qualified health care professionals;
            (4) congratulates State and local organizations 
        representing individuals with memory problems, caregivers, and 
        health care professionals for their commitment to improve the 
        quality of life of individuals and families confronting 
        dementia by providing optimal care and services; and
            (5) supports the goals and ideals of National Alzheimer's 
        Disease Awareness Month and National Memory Screening Day, 
        including the development of a national health policy on 
        dementia screening and care.
                                 <all>