Title: National Memory Screening Day

Summary: Encourages participation in National Memory Screening Day.

Full Text:
WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and currently affects an estimated 5.4 million Americans, and WHEREAS, in Florida alone, it is estimated that nearly 500,000 people have Alzheimer's disease, and WHEREAS, the stigma associated with the disease results in a delay of diagnosis, in some cases up to years, and WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease takes an enormous toll on family members, with an estimated one in four acting as caregivers for each individual with the disease, and WHEREAS, caregivers for individuals with Alzheimer's disease suffer more stress, depression, and health problems than caregivers for people with other illnesses, and WHEREAS, recent advancements in scientific research have demonstrated the benefits of early medical treatment for individuals with Alzheimer's disease, as well as the benefits of early access to counseling and other support services for their caregivers, and WHEREAS, with an early diagnosis, individuals can avoid or correct contributing medical problems, commence available therapy, organize current and future care, and enhance self-determination and caregivers can identify and embrace community support services, and WHEREAS, in direct response to research breakthroughs, National Memory Screening Day was established by the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) as a collaborative effort with local organizations and health care professionals across the county to promote awareness, early detection, and early diagnosis of memory impairment so that individuals can obtain proper medical treatment, social services, and other resources related to the treatment of their condition, and WHEREAS, National Memory Screening Day is held by the AFA each third Tuesday in November in recognition of National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month and, on this day, health care professionals administer free, confidential, face-to-face memory screenings at thousands of sites throughout the United States, and WHEREAS, memory screening is not used to diagnose any illness, but is used as an indicator to determine whether a person might benefit from further examination by a qualified health care provider, and WHEREAS, memory screenings are a safe and cost-effective intervention to direct at-risk individuals to appropriate clinical resources, thus reducing the costs of long-term care or hospitalization resulting from undiagnosed complications, and WHEREAS, screenings also greatly benefit those with normal scores by checking their memory, allaying fears, and promoting chronic disease prevention and successful aging, NOW, THEREFORE, 57 Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the State of Florida: 60 That the Florida House of Representatives encourages all Americans with memory concerns or who want to check their memory to have memory screenings at National Memory Screening Day sites or by other qualified professionals on November 15, 2011, National Memory Screening Day.