|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
|
State
Rep. James E. Casorio, Jr. |
  
|
Rep. Casorio promotes Alzheimer's awareness, education
HARRISBURG, Aug. 19 – State Rep. James E. Casorio Jr., D-Westmoreland, has signed on to co-sponsor a resolution that would designate November 2008 as Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month in Pennsylvania.
"As more Pennsylvanians age, Alzheimer's is becoming one of the state's biggest health-care challenges, not just in terms of providing care and services to Alzheimer's patients, but also helping their families cope with the disease and the strain it can put on finances and family relationships," Casorio said. "Because of this, it is important to increase awareness, and that's what this resolution would do."
More than 400,000 Pennsylvanians have Alzheimer's or related dementia, and 5.1 million people in the nation are afflicted. The disease is a progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys a person's memory and ability to learn, reason, communicate and perform daily activities. As the disease progresses, people often cannot recognize family members or friends.
Casorio said the resolution would raise awareness about Alzheimer's and encourage everyone to learn more about this disease. Raising awareness would also help people access information on health care and family support resources that are available.
For more information, visit the Alzheimer's Association Web site at www.alz.org. Pennsylvania residents also may call the association's 24-hour toll-free helpline at 1-800-272-3900, or call the Pittsburgh office, which serves Westmoreland County, at 412-261-5040.
###agh/2008/jma
l:'print'releases'alzheimers.056