III 

111TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 185 

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness 

Month and National Memory Screening Day, including the development 

of a national health policy on dementia screening and care. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

JUNE 16, 2009 

Mr. WARNER submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Memory Screening 

Day, including the development of a national health policy on dementia screening and care. 

Whereas Alzheimer’s disease is a slow, progressive disorder of 

the brain that results in loss of memory and other cognitive function and, eventually, death; 

Whereas Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of 

death in the United States and currently affects an estimated 2,400,000 to 4,500,000 people in the United 

States; 

Whereas the stigma associated with the disease results in a 

delay of diagnosis, in some cases up to 6 years; 


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•SRES 185 IS 

Whereas Alzheimer’s disease takes an enormous toll on family members, with an estimated 1 in 4 people in the 

United States acting as caregivers for each individual 

with the disease; 

Whereas caregivers for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease 

suffer more stress, depression, and health problems than 

caregivers of people with other illnesses; 

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; 

Whereas with early diagnosis, individuals with the disease 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; 

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 country 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 their condition; 

Whereas National Memory Screening Day is held by AFA 

each November in recognition of National Alzheimer’s 

Disease Awareness Month and on this day, qualified 

health care professionals administer free, confidential, 


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face-to-face memory screenings at thousands of sites 

throughout the United States; 

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; 

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, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) recognizes the seriousness of Alzheimer’s 

3 disease and the toll it takes on individuals with the 

4 disease and their caregivers; 

5 (2) acknowledges that more outreach and edu6 cation is needed to eliminate the stigma associated 

7 with the disease and assist individuals and their 

8 caregivers in identifying available screenings, treat9 ments and support; 

10 (3) encourages all people in the United States 

11 with memory concerns or who want to check their 

12 memory to have annual memory screenings at NaVerDate Nov 24 2008 22:52 Jun 16, 2009 Jkt 079200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR185.IS SR185

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•SRES 185 IS 

1 tional Memory Screening Day sites or by other 

2 qualified health care professionals; 

3 (4) congratulates State and local organizations 

4 representing individuals with memory problems, 

5 caregivers, and health care professionals for their 

6 commitment to improve the quality of life of individ7 uals and families confronting dementia by providing 

8 optimal care and services; and 

9 (5) supports the goals and ideals of National 

10 Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National 

11 Memory Screening Day, including the development 

12 of a national health policy on dementia screening 

13 and care. 

Æ 


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