Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month – June 2017

June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month. During this month, the Alzheimer’s Association® requests support from the public as it works to spread awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. As awareness of these diseases increase, more people get involved in efforts to recognize the symptoms and find a cure.

About Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month

During Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, the public is encouraged to “go purple” for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia awareness. Purple is the official color of the Alzheimer’s movement. People can go purple by purchasing purple Alzheimer’s awareness merchandise, turning their social media profiles purple and posting to social media with the hashtags “#igopurplefor” and “#endalz.” The Alzheimer’s Association® also encourages supporters to spread the word about Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia so that more people will understand these diseases and be on the lookout for their symptoms. In addition, the Alzheimer’s Association® encourages people to get involved in the search for better treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.

About Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a debilitating and incurable illness that causes plaques and other abnormalities to form in the brain. These abnormalities cause the victim’s brain function to decline gradually. This disease doesn’t discriminate and can affect anyone. Although most people associate Alzheimer’s disease with memory loss, this is only one of the symptoms. In addition to losing memory, patients with Alzheimer’s disease also deal with personality changes, loss of important skills, delusions and much more. The disease is progressive and worsens over time, eventually leading to the victim’s death.

Although Alzheimer’s disease can’t be prevented, people can reduce their risk of developing this disease by adopting healthy habits, such as healthy eating and regular exercise. Learning to recognize the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease also leads to earlier detection, which may improve outcomes for patients with the disease by allowing them to receive prompt treatment.

Getting Involved

At this time, Alzheimer’s disease is always fatal even with the best treatments available. Scientists are continuing to look for better treatments and/or a cure for this illness. People in Northern California can get involved in the process of searching for a cure by spreading awareness of the disease, donating money for research purposes or participating in Alzheimer’s disease awareness events, such as Alzheimer’s walks, runs, concerts or parties. Although these events can take place any day of the year, many people choose to schedule Alzheimer’s fundraisers for June 21. The Alzheimer’s Association® has named this annual fundraising event “The Longest Day” in honor of the summer solstice. Share why you go purple using the “#igopurplefor” and “#endalz” hashtags.

Contact Us for Alzheimer’s Support

At Primrose, we specialize in supporting individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia and their caregivers. We offer expert residential care and an adult day club option, along with caregiver support. Please contact us for additional information or to schedule a tour!

Further Resources:

• Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month Information from the Alzheimer’s Association
• Our Blog