REFERENCE TITLE: Alzheimer's awareness day.

State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-third Legislature Second Regular Session 2018

HCR 2031

Introduced by Representative Carter

 

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

 

Proclaiming February 28, 2018 as alzheimer's awareness day in Arizona.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

Whereas, according to the Alzheimer's Association, "Alzheimer's is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior.  Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks"; and

Whereas, there are more than five million Americans living with Alzheimer's disease; and

Whereas, every 66 seconds, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer's disease; and

Whereas, Alzheimer's disease is the fourth leading cause of death in Arizona; and

Whereas, there has been a 138% increase in Alzheimer's deaths in Arizona since 2000; and

Whereas, further research of Alzheimer's disease is critical as it is the only cause of death among the top ten causes in the United States that currently cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed; and

Whereas, in 2017, Medicaid spent an estimated $44 billion caring for people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, with $332 million going toward Arizonans; and

Whereas, as many as half of Americans with dementia have never been diagnosed, and only 33% of those who have been formally diagnosed are aware that they have the disease; and

Whereas, roughly 325,000 Arizona caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias provided 370 million hours of unpaid care last year, totaling approximately $4.69 billion in unpaid care; and

Whereas, these caregivers report that their own health has deteriorated due to their caregiving responsibilities; and

Whereas, caregivers and family members are crucial in maintaining a healthy quality of life for those battling Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, and it is important that they be recognized and supported.

Therefore

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Arizona, the Senate concurring:

That the Members of the Legislature proclaim February 28, 2018 as Alzheimer's awareness day in the State of Arizona.