HR0231 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0231 LRB099 11141 GRL 31609 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Someone develops Alzheimer's disease every 67 seconds; and

WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease is on the rise with 5.4 million Americans currently living with the disease and an estimated 16 million Americans projected to be diagnosed with the disease by 2050; and

WHEREAS, Currently, 210,000 people in Illinois live with the disease; there will be 260,000 in 10 years; and

WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease is the 6th leading cause of death and an unrelenting, progressive condition that destroys brain cells, and currently no cure or even a way to slow the progression of the disease exists; Alzheimer's places significant financial burdens on families and businesses, with businesses losing billions a year in lost productivity and replacement expenses for employees who miss work or quit to care for a relative; and

WHEREAS, In Illinois in 2013, there were 587,000 Illinois family members and friends who provided over 668 million hours of unpaid care, valued at $8.3 billion, to their loved ones with Alzheimer's and other dementias; and

WHEREAS, The impact of Alzheimer's and other dementias on Illinois families, the health care system, and society as a whole is of great importance; the need for home and community-based services for those with Alzheimer's is on the rise and caregiver stress is at an all-time high; and

WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease is a looming public health crisis and we call upon all policymakers to join in the efforts to raise awareness and to serve the hundreds of thousands of persons with Alzheimer's and other dementias in Illinois, their families, and caregivers; and

WHEREAS, On March 11, 2015, Alzheimer's advocates will speak up for the needs and rights of people with Alzheimer's and their families and ask the Illinois legislature to make Alzheimer's disease a priority public health issue in the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we proclaim March 11, 2015 as the Annual Alzheimer's Association Advocacy Day in the State of Illinois.