Title
Declaring February 12, 2013 "ACT on Alzheimer's Awareness and Kick-off Day".
Body
WHEREAS, St. Paul is "The Most Livable City in America" and our strength lies in our residents; and
WHEREAS, St. Paul is aging. 9% of St. Paul Residents--approximately 26,000 people--are age 65 or older (2011 estimate, US Census Statistics); and
WHEREAS, With the coming age wave, Alzheimer's disease and related dementias will reach epic proportions. One in eight people over 65 have Alzheimer's and nearly 50% of people over 85 have the disease. By 2025, it is expected that 125,000 Minnesotans are expected to have the disease. 70% of people with dementia live at home; and
WHEREAS, For every person living with Alzheimer's there are on average 2 caregivers supporting them with unpaid care valued at $3.3 billion. Without change, the total cost of care for Minnesotans 65+ with Alzheimer's could reach $20 billion, most of that coming from personal funds and Medicaid dollars; and
WHEREAS, ACT on Alzheimer's is a state-wide collaboration to prepare for the budgetary, social, and personal impact of Alzheimer's disease. The St. Paul Neighborhoods ACT on Alzheimer's has emerged to address the impacts of Alzheimer's in a way that makes sense for our unique community. Key partners in include Carondelet Village (Convener), the Metropolitan Area Agency on Aging, Amherst H Wilder Foundation, Alzheimer's Association, St. Paul Advisory Committee on Aging, and ACT on Alzheimer's. This coalition will focus initially on 6 neighborhoods: Highland Park, Mac-Groveland, West 7th, Summit Hill, Summit University, and Union Park; and
WHEREAS, St. Paul Neighborhoods ACT on Alzheimer's will use a comprehensive community tool kit that includes information and resources for how to prepare for needs related to dementia. It will help us to
* Convene key community leaders to understand the disease and its implications for St. Paul,
* Assess current strengths and gaps in meeting needs that result from Alzheimer's disease,
* Identify community goals and plan possible ways to respond, and
* Act Together to establish implementation plans to achieve goals and measure progress over a 3-year period; and
WHEREAS, Alzheimer's will impact our community and we believe that residents of St. Paul can work together to find powerful responses to meet growing needs; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of St. Paul supports St. Paul Neighborhoods ACT on Alzheimer's initiative in a commitment to develop a community that is fully capable of supporting individuals and families living with dementia in the great city of St. Paul; let this be
FINALLY RESOLVED, that Tuesday, February 12, 2013, is ACT on Alzheimer's awareness and kick-off day in the Great City of St. Paul, Minnesota.