Cuomo proclaims June Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month in N.Y.

ALBANY— The New York State Senate and Assembly, through the leadership of Sen. Sue Serino and Assemblymember Matthew Titone, passed Joint Resolution 5108 recognizing a proclamation by Gov. Andrew Cuomo of June as Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month in New York State. The proclamation, presented to Alzheimer’s Association advocates by Sen. Serino during a ceremony on Wednesday at the Capitol, draws attention to the impact of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias in the United State and its specific effects on New York.

“We applaud Governor Cuomo and the New York State Legislature for acknowledging June 2018 as Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month,” said David Sobel, president and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association Hudson Valley Chapter. “Our ongoing efforts to support, educate and advocate for New Yorkers affected by Alzheimer’s disease in coordination with the New York State Department of Health, Governor Cuomo and the New York State legislature are key to mitigating the Alzheimer’s public health crisis in New York.”

“Alzheimer’s disease is an epidemic that affects more than just the person diagnosed. Family and friends see their loved one struggle with the changes related to the brain disease, while dealing with changes to their personal and professional lives. By raising concern for the effects of Alzheimer’s disease and building awareness for its symptoms and the need to seek an early diagnosis, we can improve the quality of life for all New Yorkers,” said Serino, of Dutchess County, who is chair of the Senate Committee on Aging.

There are 5.7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease, including 400,000 in New York State. Without an effective treatment, prevention or cure, the number of people in the Empire State with Alzheimer’s disease is expected to increase 15 percent by the year 2025. More than 1 million New Yorkers provide unpaid care to someone with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia. That unpaid care represents an economic value of nearly $14.8 billion. Alzheimer’s creates a major burden to the state’s Medicaid coffers. New York will spend more Medicaid dollars ($4.834 billion) on the care for people with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia in 2018 than any other state in America.

“New York’s Alzheimer’s caregivers are projected to have $881 million more in aggravated health-care costs than non-caregivers this year,” said Ian Magerkurth, director of government affairs for the Alzheimer’s Association in New York State. “We are grateful for the leadership of Governor Cuomo, Senator Serino, Assemblymember Titone and the legislative branch to support all those affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementia.”

New York State’s seven Alzheimer’s Association chapters offer free resources to the millions of people facing Alzheimer‘s disease, including in-person education and support programs, a 24-Hour Helpline (800.272.3900) and website at alz.org. It also provides critical international leadership and funding to advance research toward methods of treatment, prevention and, ultimately, a cure for Alzheimer‘s. The Hudson Valley Chapter serves Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties. Visit alz.org/hudsonvalley to learn more about programs and services offered locally.

June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing public awareness of Alzheimer’s disease, available resources and how you can get involved to support the cause. The Alzheimer’s Association asks everyone to come together this June to support Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month and to join the fight against Alzheimer’s. Visit alz.org to learn more about Alzheimer’s, its warning signs, the importance of early detection and diagnosis as well as information on care and support.

About Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, fatal brain disease leads to memory loss and other cognitive decline. It is not a normal part of aging. More than 5.7 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease and over 16 million more people provide unpaid care to a person with the brain disease. It is America’s sixth-leading cause of death and currently has no treatment, prevention or cure. Another person in America develops Alzheimer’s disease every 65 seconds. Learn more at alz.org.

About the Alzheimer’s Association

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. Its mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Its vision is a world without Alzheimer’s.