HOUSE RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING MARCH 20, 2026, TO BE "ALZHEIMER'S AWARENESS DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

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LC003537
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
PROCLAIMING MARCH 20, 2026, TO BE "ALZHEIMER'S AWARENESS DAY" IN THE
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By:
Representatives Ackerman, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale,
McNamara, Fellela, Finkelman, Messier, Furtado, and Roberts

Date Introduced:
March 19, 2026

Referred To:
House read and passed
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WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative brain disease, and the most common
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form of dementia that results in loss of memory and other cognitive function, and eventually
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death; and
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WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease is the seventh leading cause of death in the United
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States and the fifth leading cause of death for persons aged 65 and over; and
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WHEREAS, It is estimated that one in three seniors dies from Alzheimer's disease or
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another dementia, more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined; and
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WHEREAS, An estimated 7 million people in the United States are living with
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Alzheimer's disease, and this number is anticipated to increase to 12.7 million by 2050; and
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WHEREAS, The direct costs to the United States caring for individuals living with
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Alzheimer's disease in 2024 was estimated to be $360 billion, increasing to nearly $1 trillion by
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2050, making it the most expensive disease in America; and
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WHEREAS, More than 24,000 Rhode Islanders are living with Alzheimer's disease, and
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an estimated 36,000 family caregivers provide approximately 51 million hours of unpaid care
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valued at more than $1.1 billion; and
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WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease is the fifth leading cause of death in Rhode Island for
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persons 65 years of age or older; and
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WHEREAS, Older Black Americans face nearly 2 times, and Latino Americans face
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nearly 1.5 times higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease; and

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WHEREAS, Rhode Island's per capita Medicare spending on people with dementia is
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$31,741, and Rhode Island's Medicaid costs of caring for people with Alzheimer's disease is
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nearly $500 million; and
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WHEREAS, Caregiving for individuals with Alzheimer's disease often takes an
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enormous toll on family members; caregivers themselves often suffer more stress, depression, and
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health problems than caregivers of people with other illnesses; and
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WHEREAS, An increasing number of individuals are developing younger-onset
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Alzheimer's disease, a form of the disease that occurs prior to age 65 and can be particularly
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difficult on family dynamics and economics due to its early occurrence; and
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WHEREAS, As the population of older adults in Rhode Island continues to grow, there
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will be an increased demand for residential, home-based, and community-based services that will
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in turn mean an increased demand for direct care workers, including home health aides, certified
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nursing assistants, and personal care aides; and
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WHEREAS, Advocates are visiting the State House today, to raise awareness and inform
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legislators of the challenges they face navigating Alzheimer's and all other dementias; now,
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therefore be it
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RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby
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proclaims March 20, 2026, as "Alzheimer's Awareness Day" in the State of Rhode Island; and be
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it further
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Donna McGowan, Executive Director,
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Alzheimer's Association, Rhode Island Chapter.
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