Every year, Sep 21 is celebrated as World Alzheimer’s Day, and this coincides with World Alzheimer’s Month which is the month of September. The initiative was started in 2012 by Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI). The purpose is to raise awareness, educate people about the disease, and encourage more research. Over six million Americans suffer from Alzheimer’s. Here are some ideas for how to celebrate the month.
Visit a loved one fighting the disease
Living with Alzheimer’s Disease can be overwhelming. A patient can easily become agitated and mood swings are common. If you have a family member with the disease, maintaining closeness can help the person feel loved and cared for. Playing cards can help to calm the person down. It doesn’t matter whether you can’t really have a proper game. It’s the closeness and doing something together that’s important. Some research indicates playing games can help improve cognitive skills. Top USA online casinos have many types of online card games to play.
Host an educational event
Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disorder that slowly robs patients of their memory and thinking skills. When you learn more about Alzheimer’s Disease, it can help you to challenge the stigma that surrounds it. You can host an event where you educate attendees about Alzheimer’s and bust some myths about it.
- One of the myths is that Alzheimer’s and dementia are the same. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, but each form has its own diagnosis and treatment.
- Another myth is that dementia is a normal part of aging. It is common to become more forgetful with age. However, symptoms like making poor judgments and not recognizing family members are not part of the normal aging process.
- It’s a myth that Alzheimer’s isn’t treatable. There is currently no cure, but many interventions can help patients.
Fundraise on September 21
You could host an event on this day and donate the funds to Alzheimer’s Research. It could be as simple as having afternoon tea where you have a purple theme and everyone wears purple. Purple is the color of Alzheimer’s awareness. You could also post photos of the event on your social media profiles to show your support for the cause and encourage others to hold similar events in the future.
Go on a memory walk
A memory walk is an important way to raise awareness. These walks can be physical walks or virtual walks. They range from half-day events to month-long excursions. Many members of Alzheimer’s Disease International hold memory walks in September. Dementia Singapore held a virtual walk over the first 21 days of September. Participants accumulated over 20 million steps.
Support caregivers
Caring for older adults, especially those with Alzheimer’s, is a challenge. It requires patience, fortitude, and mental strength. The physical and emotional health of caregivers can suffer. If you know a caregiver, send a handwritten note or give the person a shout-out on social media. You could also take the person flowers or deliver a meal. The caregiver will appreciate your effort.
Donate to an Alzheimer’s Disease charity
Donate to a non-profit organization that supports Alzheimer’s patients and their families. A financial contribution can go towards research into the disease, which is largely underfunded. You will know your money is going to a good cause. Two of the international organizations you can donate to are the Alzheimer’s Association and Alzheimer’s Disease International. If you share your story of the impact Alzheimer’s has had on your life, you may just encourage others to donate, too.
