2025 -- H 6115

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING MARCH 20, 2025, TO BE "ALZHEIMER'S AWARENESS DAY" IN THE

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Ackerman, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, McNamara,
Chippendale, Serpa, Finkelman, Fogarty, Corvese, and Casey

     Date Introduced: March 20, 2025

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative brain disease, and the most common

form of dementia that results in loss of memory and other cognitive function, and eventually

death; and

     WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease is the seventh leading cause of death in the United

States and the fifth leading cause of death for persons aged 65 and over; and

     WHEREAS, It is estimated that one in three seniors dies from Alzheimer's disease or

another dementia, more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined; and

     WHEREAS, An estimated 7 million people in the United States are living with

Alzheimer's disease, and this number is anticipated to increase to 12.7 million by 2050; and

     WHEREAS, The direct costs to the United States caring for individuals living with

Alzheimer's disease in 2024 was estimated to be $360 billion, increasing to nearly $1 trillion by

2050, making it the most expensive disease in America; and

     WHEREAS, More than 24,000 Rhode Islanders are living with Alzheimer's disease, and

an estimated 36,000 family caregivers provide approximately 51 million hours of unpaid care

valued at more than $1.1 billion; and

     WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease is the fifth leading cause of death in Rhode Island for

persons 65 years of age or older; and

     WHEREAS, Older Black Americans face nearly 2 times, and Latino Americans face

nearly 1.5 times higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease; and

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island's per capita Medicare spending on people with dementia is

$30,782, and Rhode Island's Medicaid costs of caring for people with Alzheimer's disease is

nearly $500 million; and

     WHEREAS, Caregiving for individuals with Alzheimer's disease often takes an

enormous toll on family members; caregivers themselves often suffer more stress, depression, and

health problems than caregivers of people with other illnesses; and

     WHEREAS, An increasing number of individuals are developing younger-onset

Alzheimer's disease, a form of the disease that occurs prior to age 65 and can be particularly

difficult on family dynamics and economics due to its early occurrence; and

     WHEREAS, As the population of older adults in Rhode Island continues to grow, there

will be an increased demand for residential, home-based, and community-based services that will

in turn mean an increased demand for direct care workers, including home health aides, certified

nursing assistants, and personal care aides; and

     WHEREAS, Advocates are visiting the State House today, to raise awareness and inform

legislators of the challenges they face navigating Alzheimer's and all other dementias; now,

therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

proclaims March 20, 2025, as "Alzheimer's Awareness Day" in the State of Rhode Island; and be

it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Donna McGowan, Executive Director,

Alzheimer's Association, Rhode Island Chapter.

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