HR 9069

1	House Resolution
2	A resolution encouraging participation in National Memory
3	Screening Day.
4
5	WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease is a slow, progressive
6	disorder of the brain that results in loss of memory and other
7	cognitive function and, eventually, death, and
8	WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of
9	death in the United States and currently affects an estimated
10	5.4 million Americans, and
11	WHEREAS, in Florida alone, it is estimated that nearly
12	500,000 people have Alzheimer's disease, and
13	WHEREAS, the stigma associated with the disease results in
14	a delay of diagnosis, in some cases up to 6 years, and
15	WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease takes an enormous toll on
16	family members, with an estimated one in four acting as
17	caregivers for each individual with the disease, and
18	WHEREAS, caregivers for individuals with Alzheimer's
19	disease suffer more stress, depression, and health problems than
20	caregivers for people with other illnesses, and
21	WHEREAS, recent advancements in scientific research have
22	demonstrated the benefits of early medical treatment for
23	individuals with Alzheimer's disease, as well as the benefits of
24	early access to counseling and other support services for their
25	caregivers, and
26	WHEREAS, with an early diagnosis, individuals can avoid or
27	correct contributing medical problems, commence available
28	therapy, organize current and future care, and enhance self-
29	determination and caregivers can identify and embrace community
30	support services, and
31	WHEREAS, in direct response to research breakthroughs,
32	National Memory Screening Day was established by the Alzheimer's
33	Foundation of America (AFA) as a collaborative effort with local
34	organizations and health care professionals across the county to
35	promote awareness, early detection, and early diagnosis of
36	memory impairment so that individuals can obtain proper medical
37	treatment, social services, and other resources related to the
38	treatment of their condition, and
39	WHEREAS, National Memory Screening Day is held by the AFA
40	each third Tuesday in November in recognition of National
41	Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month and, on this day, health
42	care professionals administer free, confidential, face-to-face
43	memory screenings at thousands of sites throughout the United
44	States, and
45	WHEREAS, memory screening is not used to diagnose any
46	illness, but is used as an indicator to determine whether a
47	person might benefit from further examination by a qualified
48	health care provider, and
49	WHEREAS, memory screenings are a safe and cost-effective
50	intervention to direct at-risk individuals to appropriate
51	clinical resources, thus reducing the costs of long-term care or
52	hospitalization resulting from undiagnosed complications, and
53	WHEREAS, screenings also greatly benefit those with normal
54	scores by checking their memory, allaying fears, and promoting
55	chronic disease prevention and successful aging, NOW, THEREFORE,
56
57	Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of
58	Florida:
59
60	That the Florida House of Representatives encourages all
61	Americans with memory concerns or who want to check their memory
62	to have memory screenings at National Memory Screening Day sites
63	or by other qualified professionals on November 15, 2011,
64	National Memory Screening Day.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.