46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2003

REQUESTING THE STATE AGENCY ON AGING TO PARTNER WITH THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION, LOCAL PUBLIC AGENCIES AND PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS TO PROMOTE AND EXPAND THE SAFE RETURN PROGRAM FOR PERSONS WITH ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND RELATED DEMENTIAS TO MORE COMMUNITIES IN NEW MEXICO.

WHEREAS, more than thirty-two thousand persons in New Mexico are affected by Alzheimer's disease and related dementias; and

WHEREAS, many persons with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias have a tendency to wander and are unable to find their ways home; and

WHEREAS, if not helped to return home, such persons face imminent danger and may suffer physical and emotional harm; and

WHEREAS, safe return programs partner with local law enforcement, utility companies, municipal workers and others to register persons suffering from some form of dementia who are at risk of wandering; and

WHEREAS, safe return programs are being successfully operated in several communities in New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, New Mexico's currently operating safe return programs have registered almost two hundred fifty persons with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state agency on aging be requested to partner with the Alzheimer's association, local public agencies and private organizations to promote and expand the safe return program to more communities in New Mexico; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the director of the state agency on aging.