A4-0051/96

Resolution on Alzheimer's disease and the prevention of disorders of the cognitive functions in the elderly

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its resolution of 24 February 1994 on measures for the elderly ((OJ C 77, 14.3.1994, p. 26. )),

- having regard to the motion for a resolution by Mr David W. Martin on Alzheimer's disease (B4-0175/94),

- having regard to the motion for a resolution by Mr Fernández-Albor on setting up special centres for investigation and research into the prevention of senile dementia (B4-0502/95),

- having regard to the report of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Protection and the opinions of the Committee on Social Affairs and Employment and the Committee on Research, Technological Development and Energy (A4-0051/96),

A. whereas the gradual ageing of the population of the European Union and the increase in lifespan are leading to a rise in the incidence of diseases linked to age including Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's and related syndromes,

B. whereas it is estimated that 8 million people - equivalent to approximately 2% of those in the over-65 age group - will be afflicted with Alzheimer's disease or syndromes by the year 2000,

C. whereas Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is a variety of dementia and thus should form a constituent part of a European programme on Alzheimer's and dementia,

D. having regard to the impact which this disease has on the general state of health of European citizens, as well as on our countries' social and health systems,

E. having regard to the emotional, physical and financial difficulties faced by the relatives and friends of those affected by senile dementia,

F. having regard to the efforts, and the burden involved in providing assistance, of those supporting patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease, their relative isolation and the lack of training and resources available to them,

G. having regard to the need to give active support to medical research on the causes, course and consequent possible treatment of Alzheimer's disease and neurodegenerative diseases in general; whereas there are always problems in diagnosing Alzheimer's disease as the symptoms are mistaken for other diseases,

H. having regard to the need to coordinate the many existing measures, often the result of private initiatives, and the vital importance of linking them to the existing social and medical systems, with particular reference to the question of providing information,

I. having regard to the inadequacy of the Member States' political and financial commitments to take coherent action to combat this disease,

J. whereas Alzheimer's disease and related syndromes should be considered as a major health scourge within the meaning of Article 129 of the EC Treaty,

1. Calls on the Commission to submit as soon a possible a programme of measures to combat Alzheimer's disease and related syndromes, focusing on:

(a) epidemiological monitoring;

(b) early exchange of experience and research into early diagnosis in order to distinguish it from other forms of dementia with specific causes such as multiple heart attack, alcoholism and other syndromes related to Alzheimer's disease, which in some cases are reversible, in which connection every effort should be made to avoid overlapping and duplication of research;

(c) drawing up guidelines for the training of staff who in whatever capacity work with Alzheimer's patients (medical and paramedical professions), and for the training of family carers to ensure competent and effective use of the existing resources;

(d) support for setting up out-patient clinics and centres specializing in cognitive diseases, consisting of a number of doctors, other staff and experts working in the field of dementia;

(e) creation of networks to assess new forms of treatment and support for their development;

(f) comparing and exchanging experiences on support measures for families, carers, and patients' associations and non-governmental organizations by promoting the publication and distribution of information pamphlets concerning the training and organization of voluntary workers, legal, psychological and health assistance both at home and at day centres by promoting or setting up Alzheimer's associations to enable those concerned to exchange experiences;

(g) information campaigns for the general public and for specific groups such as schoolchildren, health care professionals and social workers, with due respect for people suffering from dementia and for their dignity;

(h) early diagnosis and self-diagnosis;

2. Calls on the Commission to publicize successful initiatives, such as the Alzheimer's telephone lines which are manned 24 hours per day and provide information to those caring for Alzheimer's patients, which exist in several Member States, minding centres to back up home care, and day care and night care and discussion groups for the next-of-kin of Alzheimer's sufferers; calls on the Commission to publicize the Alzheimer Awareness week and World Alzheimer's Day which have already been proclaimed;

3. Calls on the Commission, in the context of its BIOMED research programme, to step up support, by providing more resources, for joint measures relating to research, including basic research, on Alzheimer's disease, including the possible correlation between intake of aluminium from food additives and Alzheimer's disease;

4. Calls on the Commission to step up support for research into Alzheimer's disease and related syndromes, inter alia by carrying out measures and creating special budget headings, for example for the establishment of an appropriate task force;

5. Calls on the Member States

(a) to define an appropriate strategy and take measures accordingly, particularly as regards cooperation between social and health services;

(b) to draw up a policy providing for the partial or total payment of medical expenses and social charges currently borne by patients' families or carers;

(c) to promote the establishment of special training courses for paramedical staff, possibly by introducing para-university courses or short degree courses;

(d) to create and support specific hospital and non-hospital infrastructures for those who have reached the terminal phase of the disease;

6. Welcomes and supports Alzheimer EUROPE and other European associations who care for sufferers of Alzheimer's disease and their families;

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council and the governments of the Member States.