Contact: Dr. John C. Ziegler,
Director, Public Information Office
Phone: (334) 242-3417
Montgomery---On the 20th anniversary of President Ronald
Reagan’s designation of November as National Alzheimer’s
Disease Month, Governor Bob Riley proclaimed November as
Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month in Alabama. Governor
Riley said, “Alzheimer’s affects thousands of Alabama
families. It is particularly important to me to recognize
this disease because of its widespread impact on our
citizens and my deep personal affection and respect for
President Ronald Reagan.” Approximately 4.5 million
Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive
degenerative disorder of the brain that robs those affected
of their memory and much of their mental and physical
functions. Thus far there is no known cure for the symptoms
that lead to ultimate dependence on caregivers. However,
there are new medications that are helping to slow the
progress of the disease in affected individuals.
Governor Riley presented the proclamation to Dr. Richard
Powers at the Governor’s Office at 2:45 p.m., Wednesday,
November 19, 2003. Dr. Powers is the Director of the Bureau
of Geriatric Psychiatry and Director of The Dementia
Education and Training Act Program for the Alabama
Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation and is
also a nationally known authority on the disease.
The Alabama Department of Mental Health and Mental
Retardation supports Alzheimer’s research, treatment, and
education through a multitude of means including the
Dementia Education and Training Act Program (DETA) and the
Bureau of Geriatric Psychiatry.
With the aging population of the “Baby Boom” generation,
more than 13 million Americans are expected to be affected
with Alzheimer’s by the middle of this century. The
Governor’s proclamation acknowledged the value of care that
is provided in both the professional and the home
environment by those who give selflessly to their clients
and loved ones.
