Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 2026 as Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month in the State of New York

Senate Resolution No. 2104

BY: Senator COONEY

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        June 2026 as Alzheimer's and Brain  Awareness  Month
        in the State of New York

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  custom  of this Legislative Body to recognize
official months that are set aside  to  increase  awareness  of  serious
issues that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern,  and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, it is the sense of this  Legislative  Body  to
memorialize  Governor  Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 2026 as Alzheimer's
and Brain Awareness Month in the State of New York; and

  WHEREAS, There are approximately  7.4  million  people  living  with
Alzheimer's  disease  and dementia in the United States in 2026; 427,000
are New York State residents over the age of 65; and

  WHEREAS, Alzheimer's  kills  more  people  than  breast  cancer  and
prostate cancer combined; and

  WHEREAS, Researchers believe that approximately 110 of every 100,000
people,  aged  30  to  64  years,  or approximately 200,000 Americans in
total, have younger-onset dementia; and

  WHEREAS,  The  total  lifetime  cost  of  care  for  a  person  with
Alzheimer's  disease or other dementia in the United States is estimated
at $405,000 dollars; and

  WHEREAS, Average  per-person  Medicare  spending  for  seniors  with
Alzheimer's  is  almost  three  times  higher  than  average  per-person
spending for all other seniors; under Medicaid,  spending  is  23  times
higher on average; and

  WHEREAS,  In New York State, 776,000 caregivers provided 1.3 billion
hours of unpaid care; 61.2% of these caregivers live with chronic health
issues of their own, and 20% report living with depression; and

  WHEREAS,  Findings   from   two   national   surveys   reveal   that
discrimination  is a barrier to Alzheimer's and dementia care; more than
one-third of Black Americans (36%)  and  nearly  one-fifth  of  Hispanic
Americans  (18%)  and Asian Americans (19%) believe discrimination would
be a barrier to receiving Alzheimer's care; and

  WHEREAS, In addition, half or more of non-White caregivers say  they
have  experienced discrimination when navigating healthcare settings for
their care recipients; and

  WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness  of
this serious health issue, and more must be done to increase activity at
the local, state, and national levels; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 2026  as  Alzheimer's
and Brain Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of  New
York.