Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 41–Senators Porter, Amodei, Care, Carlton, Coffin, Jacobsen, James, Mathews, McGinness, Neal, O’Connell, O’Donnell, Raggio, Rawson, Rhoads, Schneider, Shaffer, Titus, Townsend, Washington and Wiener

 

May 9, 2001

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Joint Sponsors: Assemblymen Brown, Anderson, Angle, Arberry, Bache, Beers, Berman, Brower, Buckley, Carpenter, Cegavske, Chowning, Claborn, Collins, de Braga, Dini, Freeman, Gibbons, Giunchigliani, Goldwater, Gustavson, Hettrick, Humke, Koivisto, Lee, Leslie, Manendo, Marvel, McClain, Mortenson, Neighbors, Nolan, Oceguera, Ohrenschall, Parks, Parnell, Perkins, Price, Smith, Tiffany, Von Tobel and Williams

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Read and Adopted

 

SUMMARY—Recognizes May 9, 2001, as Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Day. (BDR R‑1544)

 

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EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted.

 

Senate Concurrent RESOLUTION—Recognizing May 9, 2001, as Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Day.

 

1-1     Whereas, Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative brain

1-2  disorder characterized by memory loss, language deterioration, poor

1-3  judgment and indifferent attitude, but preserved motor function; and

1-4     Whereas, Approximately 4 million Americans now suffer from

1-5  Alzheimer’s disease, including approximately 1 in every 10 persons over

1-6  65 years of age and nearly half of those persons over 85 years of age; and

1-7     Whereas, At the current rate of incidence, it is estimated that 14

1-8  million Americans will be afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease by the middle

1-9  of this century; and

1-10     Whereas, A person with Alzheimer’s disease will live an average of 8

1-11  years and may live as long as 20 years or more after the onset of

1-12  symptoms; and

1-13     Whereas, More than 7 out of 10 persons with Alzheimer’s disease live

1-14  at home, with care being provided by family and friends; and

2-1     Whereas, At some point, an Alzheimer’s victim will require 24-hour

2-2  care, including assistance with such daily activities as eating, grooming and

2-3  toileting; and

2-4     Whereas, It has been estimated that expenses for the diagnosis, care

2-5  and treatment of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease amount to at least

2-6  $100 billion each year; and

2-7     Whereas, Much of the amount necessary for the care and treatment of

2-8  Alzheimer’s patients is not compensated by Medicare, including the cost of

2-9  most prescription drugs and long-term care; and

2-10     Whereas, Alzheimer’s disease is the third most expensive illness in the

2-11  United States, behind only heart disease and cancer; and

2-12     Whereas, Statistics show that if scientists can delay the onset of

2-13  Alzheimer’s disease by just 5 years, the number of persons contracting the

2-14  disease can be reduced by half, thus saving this country billions of dollars

2-15  in healthcare costs; and

2-16     Whereas, While a cure for Alzheimer’s disease has yet to be found, the

2-17  Food and Drug Administration just recently approved a new drug for the

2-18  treatment of mild to moderate cases of this disease, with the brand name

2-19  Reminyl, which helps to improve the cognitive performance and daily

2-20  functioning of patients; and

2-21     Whereas, The Alzheimer’s Association, through its national network

2-22  of more than 200 chapters, provides support to patients, families and

2-23  caregivers, educates both the general public and health professionals about

2-24  Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, and supports research endeavors

2-25  with the hope of finding a cure; and

2-26     Whereas, The Northern Nevada Chapter and Southern Nevada Chapter

2-27  of the Alzheimer’s Association provide support to an estimated 35,000

2-28  persons with Alzheimer’s disease in this state; now, therefore, be it

2-29     Resolved by the Senate of the State of Nevada, the Assembly

2-30  Concurring, That the Nevada Legislature is committed to creating a

2-31  greater public understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and to supporting the

2-32  need for continued research; and be it further

2-33     Resolved, That May 9, 2001, is hereby recognized as Alzheimer’s

2-34  Disease Awareness Day.

 

2-35  H