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TO REQUEST THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S OFFICE ON AGING TO CONVENE A PURPLE RIBBON ALZHEIMER'S TASK FORCE TO STUDY THE CURRENT AND FUTURE IMPACT OF ALZHEIMER'S IN SOUTH CAROLINA AND TO ASSESS THE RESOURCES FOR AND NEEDS OF PERSONS WITH ALZHEIMER'S AND RELATED DISORDERS SO AS TO DEVELOP A STATE STRATEGY TO ADDRESS THIS HEALTH ISSUE.
Whereas, Alzheimer's disease is a slow, progressive disorder of the brain that results in loss of memory and other cognitive function and, eventually, results in death; and
Whereas, with one in eight people over age sixty-five and almost one in every two people over eighty-five having Alzheimer's disease and related disorders, the number of South Carolinians with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia (with or without diagnosis) is expected to increase nineteen percent from 67,000 in 2000 to 80,000 in 2010; and
Whereas, an in-depth study of Alzheimer's and the needs and resources required to address this issue has not been conducted in this State in over fourteen years, and consequently, it is incumbent upon the State to assess the current and future impact of Alzheimer's disease in South Carolina and the programs and services needed to ensure an integrated, comprehensive, coordinated, and up-to-date strategy to address the needs of this growing segment of the population. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, requests the Lieutenant Governor's Office on Aging to convene a Purple Ribbon Alzheimer's Task Force to assess the current and future impact of Alzheimer's disease in South Carolina, to examine the existing services and resources addressing the needs of persons with Alzheimer's, their families and caregivers, and to develop a comprehensive strategy to provide a state response to this public health crisis. The Purple Ribbon Alzheimer's Task Force shall be so named for the color of Alzheimer's disease awareness.
Be it further resolved that the Purple Ribbon Alzheimer's Task Force include in its assessment and recommendations an examination of:
(1) the Alzheimer's population needs, including but not limited to, state policy and the role of the State in meeting these needs;
(2) existing services, resources, and capacity, for serving persons with Alzheimer's and related disorders;
(3) changes needed to state policies and resources, including, but not limited to, providing coordinated services and support to persons and families living with Alzheimer's and related disorders and strategies to address any identified gaps in services.
Be it further resolved that the Purple Ribbon Alzheimer's Task Force is requested to develop a report and date-specific recommendations for responding to the task force findings, which the Office of Aging shall provide to the General Assembly and Governor no later than March 1, 2009, at which time the Office on Aging may disband the task force.
Be if further resolved that the Office on Aging is requested to monitor the implementation of the recommendations of the Purple Ribbon Alzheimer's Task Force and to keep the General Assembly apprised of the progress of these matters.
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