For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 9, 2001
National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month Proclamation
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Approximately four million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's
disease. It is a progressive degenerative disorder of the brain that
robs those affected of their memory and much of their mental and
physical function, leading to their total dependence on caregivers, and
ultimately death. Slightly more than half of Alzheimer's disease
patients receive care from their family and friends at
home. Years of providing for the emotional, physical, and
financial needs of a loved one with this difficult disease can be
emotionally painful and exhausting for a caregiver.
The chance of having Alzheimer's disease rises significantly with
age, and as older Americans become a larger percentage of our Nation's
population, the number of people expected to develop Alzheimer's will
rise dramatically. It has been estimated that 14 million
Americans, mostly seniors, will suffer from Alzheimer's by the middle
of this century.
My Administration is strongly committed to meeting the challenges
of Alzheimer's disease by increasing funding for Federal medical
research programs as well as providing improved support to Alzheimer's
patients and their families and care-givers. Through the
efforts of scientists at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and in
the private sector, we are making great strides in defining genetic and
environmental risks, diagnosing the disease in its earliest stages, and
testing potential treatments. In addition, the NIH and the
Department of Veterans Affairs are sponsoring research that focuses on
improving care and easing the burden on those providing care at home
and in nursing facilities. Finally, the Administration on
Aging is working under the Alzheimer's Disease Demonstration Project
Grants to States Program to expand the availability of diagnostic and
support services available for Alzheimer's disease patients, their
families, and their caregivers.
Our Nation's medical research programs have produced significant
advances in the delivery of health care for our older
generations. In recent years, our seniors' retirement years
have been fuller, more productive, and healthier. Despite
this overall improvement in health care, Alzheimer's disease continues
to take many of the best and most enjoyable years of life from millions
of seniors. Much progress has been made in the study of
Alzheimer's disease, but the fight to determine what causes it and to
develop effective ways to treat and prevent the disease continues.
As we observe National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, I call
on all Americans to learn more about the disease and to take time to
honor and support Alzheimer's disease patients and their
families. We should also acknowledge the scientists,
physicians, nurses, and other medical and health professionals who are
working diligently to advance knowledge and understanding of
Alzheimer's disease.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States
of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution
and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2001, as
National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month. I call upon
the people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate
programs and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand
this ninth day of
November, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-sixth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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