3 Things You Can Do This June for Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month

The team at Park Springs would like to highlight the importance of Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, observed in June every year. This significant event, sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association, aims to raise awareness about various forms of dementia and provide support to those affected.

During Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, we encourage you to show your support for the 55 million  worldwide who are living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, as well as their loved ones and caregivers who offer them unwavering support and care.

Here are three things you can do this June to participate in this important effort:

1. Take action

Go Purple
Wear purple throughout the entire month of June. Share pictures of yourself wearing purple, and be inspired by various celebrities who participate to show their support for their communities and loved ones affected by these conditions.

Share your story
If you or your family members are on Facebook or other forms of social media, use the hashtag #ENDALZ to share personal stories or anecdotes about your loved ones who have been impacted by Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Sharing these narratives takes away the shame and stigma and helps raise awareness and understanding throughout the broader community.

Show your support
Engage in the Go Purple Challenge by becoming a member of the Alzheimer’s Association’s Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month Facebook group. Participate in local walks dedicated to ending Alzheimer’s or consider making a donation to reputable organizations focused on Alzheimer’s and dementia, such as the Alzheimer’s Association, Dementia Society of America, or The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration.

2. Learn the facts*
   Alzheimer’s Disease International estimates that someone in the world develops dementia every three seconds.

• Alarmingly, nearly three-quarters of individuals living with dementia have not received a formal diagnosis.
• Contrary to common misconceptions, dementia is not an inevitable part of healthy aging. While memory and language may be affected as people grow older, the decline associated with dementia can be mitigated through proper care and support.
• The United States urgently requires more geriatricians, specialized doctors trained in caring for older adults. Experts predict that by 2050, the country will need approximately three times the current number of geriatricians to meet the growing demand.

*(from Alzheimer’s Association)

3. Recognize the signs
   Alzheimer’s and other dementias is crucial for early intervention and support. Here are ten common signs to look out for:Increased forgetfulness that affects daily activities, such as repeating oneself, forgetting important events, or requiring additional reminders.

1. Difficulties in completing routine tasks, such as cooking, driving, or using electronic devices.
2. Challenges in problem-solving and planning, such as paying bills or following familiar recipes.
3. Trouble with spatial awareness, leading to increased falls, spills, and difficulty with visual tasks.
4. Frequent confusion about time and place.
5. Difficulties in retracing steps or recalling previous locations when searching for lost items.
6. Problems with language, including difficulties finding words or participating in conversations.
7. Changes in personality, including increased fearfulness, suspicion, or agitation.
8. Poor judgment when managing finances, caring for pets, or maintaining personal hygiene.
9. Social withdrawal and reduced participation in activities they once enjoyed, such as attending church or visiting friends.

While dementia encompasses numerous conditions, the most prevalent types include Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body dementia, and vascular dementia. Each type has distinct causes but shares symptoms related to memory loss, language impairment, and cognitive decline.

Park Springs encourages everyone to actively participate in Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month. By wearing purple, utilizing #ENDALZ on social media, and supporting fundraising events like walks to end Alzheimer’s, we can collectively raise awareness and contribute to the ongoing fight against Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

To learn more about our innovative Memory Care for those living with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia, contact us today.