Bill Text: PA HR501 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Designating the month of November 2009 as "Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill

Status: (Passed) 2009-10-09 - Adopted [HR501 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2009-HR501-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 2796
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 501 Session of2009
INTRODUCED BY KORTZ, REICHLEY, READSHAW, BAKER, BARRAR, BELFANTI, BEYER, BISHOP, BOYLE, BRADFORD, BRENNAN, BRIGGS, BROOKS, BURNS, BUXTON, CASORIO, CAUSER, CONKLIN, D. COSTA, P. COSTA, CREIGHTON, CURRY, DALEY, DeLUCA, DePASQUALE, DERMODY, DONATUCCI, DRUCKER, FAIRCHILD, FRANKEL, FREEMAN, GEIST, GEORGE, GERGELY, GIBBONS, GRUCELA, HALUSKA, HANNA, HARHART, HARKINS, HARRIS, HENNESSEY, HESS, HICKERNELL, HORNAMAN, HOUGHTON, HUTCHINSON, KNOWLES, KOTIK, KULA, LEVDANSKY, LONGIETTI, MAHONEY, MAJOR, MATZIE, McGEEHAN, McILVAINE SMITH, MILLARD, MIRABITO, MUNDY, OBERLANDER, M. O'BRIEN, PALLONE, PASHINSKI, PAYNE, PHILLIPS, PYLE, REED, REESE, ROSS, SAINATO, SAMUELSON, SAYLOR, SEIP, SIPTROTH, SOLOBAY, STABACK, TURZAI, WALKO, WATSON, MARSHALL, PICKETT, KIRKLAND, MOUL, MARKOSEK, BOBACK, SCAVELLO, BEAR, FLECK AND GOODMAN, OCTOBER 9, 2009
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, OCTOBER 9, 2009
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of November 2009 as "Alzheimer's Disease
Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative brain
disorder, first identified in 1906 by Dr. Alois Alzheimer,
resulting in a dementia evidenced by a progressive loss of
memory and intellectual function, as well as changes in
personality and behavior; and
WHEREAS, According to U.S. News and World Report, a study
released by Alzheimer's Disease International estimates that
more than 35 million people worldwide are expected to have some
form of dementia in 2010 and that number is expected to double
every 20 years; and
WHEREAS, While Alzheimer's disease is generally associated
with memory loss, its progression eventually leads to
difficulties with basic physical functions such as mobility or
swallowing, with death generally occurring between four and six
years after it is diagnosed; and
WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease is the fifth leading cause of
death in people 65 years of age and older and the sixth leading
cause of death in the United States overall; and
WHEREAS, According to the National Center for Health
Statistics, mortality rates associated with diseases such as
breast and prostate cancer and stroke decreased from 2000 to
2006, however, deaths caused by Alzheimer's disease increased by
more than 47%; and
WHEREAS, Many individuals afflicted with Alzheimer's disease
are cared for by family members; and
WHEREAS, According to the report "2009 Alzheimer's Disease
Facts and Figures" published by the Alzheimer's Association,
almost 10 million people in the United States cared for family
members with Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia,
providing 8.5 billion hours of unpaid care valued at
approximately $94 billion, and unpaid care provided in
California, New York, Florida, Texas and this Commonwealth alone
had an estimated value of more than $4 billion; and
WHEREAS, Caregivers are often forced to reduce their work
hours, or quit their jobs altogether, suffering a loss in
earnings during a period when out-of-pocket expenses associated
with their caregiving duties are estimated to be more than $200
monthly; and
WHEREAS, There is currently no cure for Alzheimer's disease,
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nor is there any treatment available to impede or halt the
deterioration of the brain; and
WHEREAS, However, there are five medications approved by the
United States Food and Drug Administration that temporarily slow
the decline of the brain, and research has identified various
treatment strategies that may have the potential to improve the
quality of life for those diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease;
and
WHEREAS, According to the Alzheimer's Association,
appropriate use of treatment options, effective integration of
coexisting conditions into the treatment plan, counseling and
other support services can improve the quality of life for
patients and their caregivers; and
WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease takes a toll not only on those
who are afflicted with it, but also on those who care for them
and it is vital that researchers continue to seek a cure and
that the general public be educated about the disease, the
treatments available and programs that can assist those who
suffer from Alzheimer's disease and their families; therefore be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
month of November 2009 as "Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month"
in Pennsylvania and urge all citizens to become better educated
about the disease and its impact on patients and families.
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