Alzheimer's Advocacy Day

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

Alzheimer's Advocacy Day

WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease is a debilitating condition that causes the death of brain cells resulting in the symptoms of dementia, including memory loss and confusion; and

WHEREAS, according to the Alzheimer's Association, more than seven million Americans and 164,000 Virginians aged 65 and older were living with Alzheimer's disease in 2020, and the number of people over 65 diagnosed with the disease in Virginia is 11.7%; and

WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease remains the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, and treatments to prevent or halt the disease's progression are not yet available; and

WHEREAS, an estimated 2,506 people died from Alzheimer's disease in Virginia in 2022, and deaths from dementia increased by 141% from 2000 to 2021 in the United States; and

WHEREAS, it is important to recognize that there are currently 342,000 caregivers in Virginia providing a total of 662,000,000 hours of care to dementia patients at an approximated value of more than $12 billion; and

WHEREAS, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias cost the United States approximately $360 billion in 2024, and Medicaid costs of caring for the disease amounted to $1 billion in 2020 in Virginia alone; and

WHEREAS, the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) Dementia Services links individuals, families, and caregivers to resources and services across the Commonwealth, supports the implementation of Virginia's Dementia State Plan, and works to ensure that Virginia's system of aging is fully dementia capable; and

WHEREAS, on this day, the Commonwealth of Virginia joins all who are currently living with Alzheimer's disease, their loved ones, their caregivers, and dedicated individuals and organizations across our Commonwealth in encouraging continued research and funding efforts, and in embracing hope for the development of new and innovative approaches to address Alzheimer's disease;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize January 30, 2025, as ALHEIMER'S ADVOCACY DAY in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.