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

 

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

 

FILE NUMBER..........

 

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

 

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

disorder characterized by memory loss, language deterioration, poor

judgment and indifferent attitude, but preserved motor function; and

   Whereas, Approximately 4 million Americans now suffer from

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

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

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

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

of this century; and

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

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

symptoms; and

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

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

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

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

toileting; and

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

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

$100 billion each year; and

   Whereas, Much of the amount necessary for the care and treatment of

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

most prescription drugs and long-term care; and

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

United States, behind only heart disease and cancer; and

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

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

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

in healthcare costs; and

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

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

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

Reminyl, which helps to improve the cognitive performance and daily

functioning of patients; and

   Whereas, The Alzheimer’s Association, through its national network

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

caregivers, educates both the general public and health professionals about

Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, and supports research endeavors

with the hope of finding a cure; and

   Whereas, The Northern Nevada Chapter and Southern Nevada Chapter

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

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

   Resolved by the Senate of the State of Nevada, the Assembly

Concurring, That the Nevada Legislature is committed to creating a

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

need for continued research; and be it further

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

Disease Awareness Day.

 

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