PRINTER'S NO. 2173
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
464
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY McILHINNEY, OCTOBER 18, 2016
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, OCTOBER 18, 2016
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of October 2016 as "Lewy Body Dementia
Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a chronic, progressive,
neurological disorder affecting thinking, movement, behavior and
sleep; and
WHEREAS, More than 1.4 million Americans are affected by LBD,
making it the second most common form of progressive dementia,
second only to Alzheimer's disease in prevalence; and
WHEREAS, The most common symptoms of LBD include problems
with memory and thinking, hallucinations, unpredictable changes
in concentration and attention, a sleep disorder causing people
to seemingly act out their dreams and Parkinson-like symptoms,
such as muscle rigidity or stiffness, a shuffling gait, tremors
or slowness of movement; and
WHEREAS, Ignorance of this disease is widespread even among
health care professionals, making LBD the most commonly
misdiagnosed form of dementia; and
WHEREAS, Early and accurate diagnosis of LBD is essential
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
because some medications prescribed regularly for Alzheimer's or
Parkinson's disease can have serious negative effects on people
with LBD; and
WHEREAS, There is currently no cure, therapy or drug to slow
or halt the progression of LBD; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the month of October 2016
as "Lewy Body Dementia Awareness Month"; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the importance of
increasing public awareness of this disease and its early and
accurate diagnosis.
20160SR0464PN2173 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10