2025 -- H 6115
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LC002427
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
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 1
form of dementia that results in loss of memory and other cognitive function, and eventually 2
death; and 3
WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease is the seventh leading cause of death in the United 4
States and the fifth leading cause of death for persons aged 65 and over; and 5
WHEREAS, It is estimated that one in three seniors dies from Alzheimer's disease or 6
another dementia, more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined; and 7
WHEREAS, An estimated 7 million people in the United States are living with 8
Alzheimer's disease, and this number is anticipated to increase to 12.7 million by 2050; and 9
WHEREAS, The direct costs to the United States caring for individuals living with 10
Alzheimer's disease in 2024 was estimated to be $360 billion, increasing to nearly $1 trillion by 11
2050, making it the most expensive disease in America; and 12
WHEREAS, More than 24,000 Rhode Islanders are living with Alzheimer's disease, and 13
an estimated 36,000 family caregivers provide approximately 51 million hours of unpaid care 14
valued at more than $1.1 billion; and 15
WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease is the fifth leading cause of death in Rhode Island for 16
persons 65 years of age or older; and 17
WHEREAS, Older Black Americans face nearly 2 times, and Latino Americans face 18
nearly 1.5 times higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease; and 19
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WHEREAS, Rhode Island's per capita Medicare spending on people with dementia is 1
$30,782, and Rhode Island's Medicaid costs of caring for people with Alzheimer's disease is 2
nearly $500 million; and 3
WHEREAS, Caregiving for individuals with Alzheimer's disease often takes an 4
enormous toll on family members; caregivers themselves often suffer more stress, depression, and 5
health problems than caregivers of people with other illnesses; and 6
WHEREAS, An increasing number of individuals are developing younger-onset 7
Alzheimer's disease, a form of the disease that occurs prior to age 65 and can be particularly 8
difficult on family dynamics and economics due to its early occurrence; and 9
WHEREAS, As the population of older adults in Rhode Island continues to grow, there 10
will be an increased demand for residential, home-based, and community-based services that will 11
in turn mean an increased demand for direct care workers, including home health aides, certified 12
nursing assistants, and personal care aides; and 13
WHEREAS, Advocates are visiting the State House today, to raise awareness and inform 14
legislators of the challenges they face navigating Alzheimer's and all other dementias; now, 15
therefore be it 16
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby 17
proclaims March 20, 2025, as "Alzheimer's Awareness Day" in the State of Rhode Island; and be 18
it further 19
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 20
transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Donna McGowan, Executive Director, 21
Alzheimer's Association, Rhode Island Chapter. 22
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