This month of June marks Alzheimer’s and Brain Health Awareness Month. Alzheimer’s disease is an illness that is impacting many families today. It is a common type of dementia that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. It accounts for 60%-80% of dementia cases. Every 3 seconds in the world someone develops dementia, with nearly 50 million people currently living with the disease worldwide. If you have a loved one dealing with Alzheimer’s or dementia, be sure to do all you can to spread awareness about these conditions.
Educate People with Important Facts
One of the best ways to spread awareness about Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other brain diseases is to educate people as much as possible about them. Consider educating people about the progression of the illness and how it affects their daily living. Some good facts about Alzheimer’s and dementia everyone should know include:
- The early signs of dementia include problems speaking, finding the right words to say in conversation, and having difficulty with daily tasks like dressing.
- While an already high amount of people are living with dementia, it will likely increase over the years with 135 million being diagnosed by 2050.
- Dementia is the only disease in the country’s top 10 causes of death that can’t be prevented or even slowed.
We must educate ourselves and our friends and family about these brain conditions. Knowledge is power when dealing with medical conditions.
Difference between Alzheimer’s and Dementia
While Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia, it’s also vital to understand the difference between the two conditions. Dementia describes a group of symptoms associated with a decline in memory, reasoning, and other thinking skills. There are various types of dementia. Some of these include:
- Lewey Body Dementia
- Huntington’s Disease
- Mixed Dementia
- Frontotemporal Dementia
Alzheimer’s, unlike dementia, is a specific degenerative brain disease. It is caused by complex brain changes following cell damage and can lead to dementia symptoms. As Alzheimer’s advances, the symptoms get more severe and include disorientation. A person with this condition will soon start to have a hard time swallowing, speaking, and walking.
Ways You Can Help Spread Awareness of these Conditions
If you want to get involved in spreading awareness of Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other brain conditions, there are many ways you can do so. On the Alzheimer’s Association website, you will find a list of events where you can raise awareness. Their signature events take place in communities across the nation. They have held biking events, walking events, and even flag football games. Besides participating in any of their events, you could also donate to their organization.
There are also some volunteer opportunities available. You can do this either remotely or in person. Some of the activities include presenting online or in person to groups in your community about Alzheimer’s or other brain health conditions, attending local community events on behalf of the Association, and providing technical support for online education programs. No matter how you plan to spread awareness about Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other brain diseases, continue to do so during June and beyond.
If you have a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other brain health diseases, share in the comments how you plan to spread awareness about these conditions. As always, be sure to like or share this post with a person you care about.
