Whereas, Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative disease that attacks the brain and results in impaired memory, thinking, and behavior, and eventually leads to incapacitation and death; and,

Whereas, There are more than 200,000 people in Michigan with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia, and this number will grow exponentially over the next two decades if no cure is found; and,

Whereas, One in ten people over the age of 65, and nearly half of those over the age of 85 will get Alzheimer’s disease, along with a small percentage of persons in their 30’s and 40’s; and,

Whereas, Alzheimer’s disease is the third most expensive disease in the country, with the average lifetime cost around $174,000 per person, and the costs to American business more than $61 billion annually in lost productivity and through the business share of health costs; and,

Whereas, The Michigan Dementia Coalition, with support from the Michigan Department of Community Health, has developed a strategic plan to reduce the burden of dementia in Michigan; and,

Whereas, The Alzheimer’s Association chapters in Michigan are not-for-profit, voluntary health organizations, working throughout the state to improve life for those living with the disease as well as their families, and to support research efforts to find a cure for future generations; and,

Whereas, Many encouraging research studies are being conducted, and several drug treatments have been introduced which delay the onset of disease symptoms, improving the quality of life for those afflicted and reducing the strain on caregivers; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim November 2005, as Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month in Michigan.