PRINTER'S NO. 2702
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
603
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY SAMUELSON, WATSON, KORTZ, HENNESSEY, BARBIN,
BOBACK, R. BROWN, V. BROWN, BURNS, CALTAGIRONE, DEAN, DeLUCA,
DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI, DRISCOLL, DUSH, ENGLISH, EVERETT,
GILLEN, GOODMAN, M. K. KELLER, LONGIETTI, MACKENZIE, MARSICO,
MILLARD, B. MILLER, MURT, NEILSON, O'NEILL, PASHINSKI,
PICKETT, READSHAW, ROEBUCK, RYAN, SAINATO, SCHLOSSBERG,
SCHWEYER, SONNEY, STURLA, THOMAS, TOOHIL, WARD AND WARREN,
NOVEMBER 14, 2017
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
NOVEMBER 14, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the month of November 2017 as "National Alzheimer's
Disease Awareness and Family Caregivers Month" in
Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease is an irreversible degenerative
brain disorder that, as yet, cannot be prevented, slowed or
cured; and
WHEREAS, Alzheimer's robs its victims of their memories and
of their ability to walk, talk and perform everyday tasks, which
impacts their ability to live independently; and
WHEREAS, Five and one-half million Americans have been
diagnosed with Alzheimer's or a related disorder, and an
estimated 200,000 of those Americans are under 65 years of age;
and
WHEREAS, More than 1 million Pennsylvanians are directly
impacted in some fashion by Alzheimer's disease or a related
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disorder; and
WHEREAS, Unless a cure is found, more than 16 million
Americans will have the disease by 2050; and
WHEREAS, This year marks the first time total payments for
caring for individuals living with Alzheimer's or related
disorders exceeded a quarter of a trillion dollars at $259
billion; and
WHEREAS, As many as 400,000 of our fellow citizens are
suffering from Alzheimer's or a related disorder and many of
these individuals are being cared for, at home, by family and
close friends; and
WHEREAS, In Pennsylvania alone, more than 673,000 of these
unpaid informal caregivers provided an estimated 766 million
hours of care which was valued at more than $9.6 billion in
2016; and
WHEREAS, Nationally, in 2016, more than 15.9 million of these
unpaid informal caregivers provided an estimated 18.2 billion
hours of care, which was valued at more than $230.1 billion; and
WHEREAS, While unpaid caregivers say they take on the task
out of love and find the work rewarding, the stress of
caregiving puts a strain on their health and well-being; and
WHEREAS, Caregiving also puts a strain on caregivers'
finances, as many of them are forced to leave their jobs to take
care of a loved one; and
WHEREAS, Through early diagnosis and talking with patients
and their families we can afford these individuals the dignity
and opportunity to be involved in the development of their
future care plans; and
WHEREAS, Until there is a cure, we need the best in
caregiving and caregiver support; and
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WHEREAS, The Alzheimer's Association's Greater Pennsylvania
Chapter and Delaware Valley Chapter, through dedicated staff and
volunteers, provide support and education to assist informal
caregivers and fund research to prevent, treat and eventually
conquer this disease; and
WHEREAS, The Alzheimer's Association supports competency-
based dementia training across the continuum of care, including
public safety personnel, as a way to enhance the well-being of
care partners and recipients alike; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
month of November 2017 as "National Alzheimer's Disease
Awareness and Family Caregivers Month" in Pennsylvania; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That this resolution seek to help raise awareness
of Alzheimer's and related disorders so individuals and their
families and loved ones are comfortable in talking with their
doctors about early warning signs of the disease; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Commonwealth recognize the challenges
facing those who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's or related
disorders and it is the Commonwealth's wish for them to know
that they are not alone in their journey; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Commonwealth acknowledge the dedication
and unconditional love our unpaid caregivers display every day
as they care for individuals who have been diagnosed with
Alzheimer's or related disorders.
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