HR0072 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Someone develops Alzheimer's disease every 68 seconds; and

WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease is on the rise, with more than 5 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 an estimated 220,000 in 2020, and 240,000 in 15 years; and

WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease is an unrelenting, progressive condition that destroys brain cells, with no currently known cure; 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 2010, there were 579,505 Illinois family members and friends who provided over 700 million hours of unpaid care - valued at $7 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; 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 13, 2013, Alzheimer's advocates will speak up for the needs and rights of people with Alzheimer's and their families, and ask the Illinois General Assembly to make Alzheimer's disease a priority public health issue in the State; advocates will speak up for the needs and rights of people with Alzheimer's and their families and ask the General Assembly 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-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we designate the date of March 13, 2013 as Annual Alzheimer's Association Advocacy Day in the State of Illinois.