National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, 2016

Proclamation 9534 of October 31, 2016

National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month,
2016

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

A heartbreaking disease present in more than 5 million
Americans, Alzheimer's is the most common form of
dementia and causes people to lose many of the critical
abilities they need to live independently. Too often,
those suffering from Alzheimer's cannot recognize their
loved ones or remember how to perform daily tasks,
struggling physically and mentally with things that
once came naturally. Although we have long known
Alzheimer's to be irreversible and fatal, we maintain
hope that by advancing research and treatment options
we can work to change these outcomes and ensure
brighter prospects for all those who face this disease.
During National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month, we
resolve to continue working toward this brighter future
as we stand with every person battling, Alzheimer's and
their loved ones.

Alzheimer's disease is more likely to affect Americans
as they grow older--although genetics can also play a
role, age is the most significant risk factor. But
Alzheimer's touches many more individuals than simply
those who are diagnosed. Dedicated caregivers--whether
professionals, family members, or friends--are also
emotionally, physically, and financially affected by
Alzheimer's disease, giving of themselves to ensure
those who face it are not alone. And because these
individuals need access to information and resources in
order to provide this essential care, we launched
www.Alzheimers.gov to give them a place to find help.

Through the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's
Disease, my Administration has been working to meet a
goal of being able to prevent and effectively treat
this illness by 2025. Over the past year we have taken
a number of actions to reach this vision, including
developing a training curriculum that gives health care
workers the necessary skills to care for dementia
patients and better detect and diagnose dementia. We
have also helped family caregivers look after their own
health, in addition to addressing the needs of people
with dementia, and launched a campaign to increase
awareness of changes in the brain as people age so that
older adults feel more comfortable having open
conversations with family members and health care
providers.

In addition to ensuring anyone with Alzheimer's can
access proper care, we must harness the innovative
ideas of the scientific community and work to prevent
this disease. To ramp up research and development aimed
at uncovering the answers to diseases like Alzheimer's,
I have increased funding for research dedicated to
understanding, preventing, and curing Alzheimer's and
related dementias. I also introduced the Brain Research
through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies
Initiative, which will enhance our understanding of
brain function and give scientists the tools they need
to better understand and discover new ways to treat,
cure, and prevent brain disorders. And through a bold
new research effort that seeks to deliver personalized
care through patient-centered research and
collaboration, my Precision Medicine Initiative is
working to revolutionize our understanding of diseases
like Alzheimer's.

From researchers and advocates who are bringing us
closer to preventing this disease to family members who
devotedly look after their loved ones, people across
our country are doing their part to support those
touched by Alzheimer's. This month, let us honor those
we have lost too soon and renew our efforts to ensure
more Americans can live their lives with health and
happiness.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim November 2016 as
National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month. I call
upon the people of the United States to learn more
about Alzheimer's disease and support the individuals
living with this disease and their caregivers.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirty-first day of October, in the year of our Lord
two thousand sixteen, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and forty-
first.