| PRINTER'S NO. 2641 |
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. | 551 | Session of 2013 |
INTRODUCED BY COHEN, BISHOP, BIZZARRO, BOBACK, V. BROWN, BROWNLEE, CALTAGIRONE, SCHLEGEL CULVER, DeLUCA, DiGIROLAMO, EVERETT, FARINA, FLECK, FREEMAN, GAINEY, GRELL, HAGGERTY, KAVULICH, KIRKLAND, KOTIK, LONGIETTI, LUCAS, MAHONEY, MARSICO, MCCARTER, MCNEILL, MILLARD, MURT, O'BRIEN, PARKER, READSHAW, ROCK, ROSS, SCHREIBER, SNYDER, SONNEY, THOMAS, YOUNGBLOOD AND MICOZZIE, NOVEMBER 13, 2013
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, NOVEMBER 13, 2013
A RESOLUTION
1Designating November 19, 2013, as "National Memory Screening
2Day" in Pennsylvania.
3WHEREAS, November is National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness
4Month; and
5WHEREAS, It is important to recognize the devastating nature
6of Alzheimer's disease on individuals, as well as their
7families; and
8WHEREAS, Early detection of memory problems is critical; and
9WHEREAS, The stigma associated with memory loss, especially
10Alzheimer's disease, often delays screening and diagnosis for up
11to six years in some cases; and
12WHEREAS, Recent advancements in scientific research have
13demonstrated the benefits of early medical treatment for
14individuals with Alzheimer's disease and also the benefits of
15early access to counseling and other support services for their
1caregivers; and
2WHEREAS, With early diagnosis, individuals can avoid or
3correct contributing medical problems, commence available
4therapy, organize current and future care and enhance self-
5determination; and
6WHEREAS, Caregivers can identify and embrace available
7community support services; and
8WHEREAS, In direct response to research breakthroughs,
9National Memory Screening Day was established by the Alzheimer's
10Foundation of America (AFA) as a collaborative effort with local
11organizations and health care professionals across the country
12to promote awareness, early detection and early diagnosis of
13memory impairment so that individuals can obtain proper medical
14treatment, social services and other resources related to their
15condition; and
16WHEREAS, Memory screening is not used to diagnose any
17illness, but is used as an indicator to determine whether a
18person might benefit from further examination by a qualified
19health care provider; and
20WHEREAS, Memory screenings are a safe and cost-effective
21intervention to direct at-risk individuals to appropriate
22clinical resources, thus reducing the costs of long-term care or
23hospitalization resulting from undiagnosed complications; and
24WHEREAS, Screenings also greatly benefit those with normal
25scores by checking their memory, allaying fears and promoting
26chronic disease prevention and successful aging; therefore be it
27RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate
28November 19, 2013, as "National Memory Screening Day" in
29Pennsylvania and urge the citizens of this Commonwealth to
30participate in a free and confidential memory screening program
1at National Memory Screening Day sites or by other qualified
2professionals.