A resolution passed by the state House designates June as “Alzheimer’s Disease and Brain Health Awareness Month” in Pennsylvania.
Officials say the number of people afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease is staggering- more than 5.8 million in the U.S., including at least 280,000 Pennsylvanians living with the illness.
State Rep. Kate Klunk says families who care for loved ones with Alzheimer’s save taxpayers billions of dollars in uncompensated care, but that more must be done to support these families for whom this can be exhausting.
Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in Pennsylvania.