[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 90 (Tuesday, June 16, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6654-S6655]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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  SENATE RESOLUTION 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

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

                              S. Res. 185

       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;

[[Page S6655]]

       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.

  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce a resolution in 
support of 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.
  As co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer's 
Disease, and as someone with a mother who has been diagnoses with 
disease, I strongly believe that our health care system needs to do a 
much better job of promoting early detection of dementia and other 
memory problems. Events such as National Memory Screening Day are a 
meaningful step in raising the awareness needed to move us in that 
direction.
  The National Institute on Aging, NIA, estimates that between 2.4 
million and 4.5 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease--a 
progressive degenerative disorder that attacks the brain's nerve cells, 
resulting in loss of memory, thinking and language skill, behavioral 
changes, and ultimately, death. Alzheimer's disease is not a normal 
part of aging; however, age is the greatest known risk factor with the 
incidence doubling for every, 5 year interval beyond age 65.
  Alzheimer's disease exacts a huge toll on caregivers. Nearly 60 
percent of individuals with the disease live at home under the care of 
family members. Caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease face 
a variety of challenges and spend more time providing assistance than 
caregivers of people with other types of diseases, from helping loved 
ones with bathing and dressing to managing their legal and financial 
affairs.
  Alzheimer's disease drains more than $148 billion from the nation's 
economy each year. If the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease continues 
to increase as expected, the $91 billion spent in 2005 on Medicare 
costs for care of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and dementia 
patients is projected to increase to $189 billion by 2015.
  There are serious deficiencies in our current healthcare system 
related to diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. A 
2006 editorial in the Journal of the American Geriatric Society 
estimated that missed diagnoses represent greater than 25 percent of 
the dementia cases and may be as high as 90 percent. This precludes 
many from getting early treatment which most researchers agree leads to 
optimal therapy with available and emerging medications.
  Screening is a simple and safe evaluation tool that assesses memory 
and other intellectual functions to determine whether additional 
testing is necessary. Memory screening can be done in a medical 
environment, e.g. dementia clinic, physician's office, or in a 
community setting, e.g. senior center, pharmacy. Such screenings are 
not a diagnosis, but can indicate whether a complete medical evaluation 
would be beneficial. Memory can be affected by a number of factors, 
ranging from stress, lack of sleep, vitamin deficiencies, depression 
and thyroid problems, to such illnesses as Alzheimer's disease and 
vascular dementia. In general, the earlier the diagnosis, the easier it 
is to treat these conditions.
  Memory screenings are one of the major focal points of the 
Alzheimer's Foundation of America's, AFA, national initiatives. Since 
2003, AFA has sponsored National Memory Screening Day, NMSD, annually 
in collaboration with community organizations to promote early 
detection of memory problems as well as Alzheimer's disease and related 
illnesses, and encourage appropriate intervention. It has been held 
each November to coincide with National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness 
Month. On November 18, 2008, qualified health care professionals at 
nearly 2,200 sites nationwide offered free confidential memory 
screenings to an estimated 54,000 participants, as well as follow-up 
resources and educational materials about dementia and successful 
aging. In 2009, AFA will hold National Memory Screening Day on November 
17.
  Most people are not inclined to discuss memory concerns with their 
health care providers. A survey conducted during AFA's 2007 National 
Memory Screening Day found that 68 percent of respondents had concerns 
about their memory. However, while more than 44 percent had visited 
their primary care physician within the last 6 months, fewer than one 
in four of those with self-identified memory problems had discussed the 
issue with their physician. Primary care providers might be more likely 
to recommend further evaluation if individuals presented their abnormal 
memory screening results from events like National Memory Screening 
Day. Community screenings such as National Memory Screening Day 
generally educate participants about questions to ask their health care 
providers and empower them to begin a dialogue.
  With this resolution I hope we can draw attention to these efforts 
and further this important cause. I urge my colleagues to join me in 
support of National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month and National 
Memory Screening Day by cosponsoring this measure.

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