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.