ATLANTA (November 19, 2013) – Senator Renee Unterman (R-Buford) held a press conference at the Georgia State Capitol on Tuesday, November 19, 2013 in recognition of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month in Georgia.
“Raising awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias is important to early diagnosis and ensuring those living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers have the resources they need for future planning and care,” said Senator Unterman. “In a few short years, our state has made tremendous progress in developing strategies to deal with the long-term effects of cognitive decline in Georgia.”
Senator Unterman was joined by members of the Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias State Task Force, the Georgia Alzheimer’s Association, the Emory University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and the Division of Aging Services. Other attendees included Dave Ellis, an individual currently living with dementia, Sen. Nan Orrock and Reps. Pedro Marin and David Stover.
During the press conference, they spent time highlighting the governor’s proclamation declaring November as Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and outlined the importance of developing a Georgia Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias Response Plan.
Senator Unterman also informed citizens about community resources available to those living with the disease and their caregivers, as well as the importance of early detection and diagnosis.
“We appreciate Governor Deal’s proclaiming November as Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, and the collaborative effort begun by Senator Unterman in the development of the Georgia Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias State Plan. It is so important for Georgians to recognize the warning signs of Alzheimer’s or related dementia,” said Leslie Anderson, President and CEO of the Georgia Alzheimer’s Association.
Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are becoming increasingly widespread in Georgia and throughout the nation. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, over five million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, and as many as 16 million will have the disease in 2050. In Georgia, 14.3 percent – on in seven – of those aged 60 and over report that they are experiencing confusion or memory loss that is happening more often or getting worse.
The Georgia Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias Task Force, chaired by Sen. Unterman, held several meetings over the past year to assess the current and future impact of Alzheimer’s disease in Georgia and develop a statewide response plan. The task force must present its recommendations for a statewide Alzheimer’s Response Plan to the governor and the Georgia General Assembly by March 31, 2014.
RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
November 19, 2013
For Information Contact:
Jennifer Yarber, Director
Shawna Mercer, Sr. Communications Specialist
Shawna Mercer@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028