World Alzheimer’s Day is observed on September 21st each year with the whole month of September being known as World Alzheimer’s Month. The aim is to create an awareness of Alzheimer’s disease by offering information to help people be aware of the causes, symptoms, and seriousness of Alzheimer’s disease. The disease is among the most prevalent forms of dementia; a set of disorders that affects memory and impairs daily function. World Alzheimer’s Day and Month is the perfect opportunity to raise our voices and find new ways of fighting the disease’s effects. The condition is often regarded as a family disease due to the impact it has on those closest to the victim. Alzheimer’s ranks among the leading causes of death in the United States. There’s currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but there is a medicine available that can temporarily reduce the symptoms.

The theme for the 2021 campaign is Know Dementia, Know Alzheimer’s and it is all about the power of knowledge. During the campaign awareness of the warning signs of dementia and the importance of a timely diagnosis is critical. The purple color ribbon represents Alzheimer’s.

Alois Alzheimer, a German clinical psychiatrist and neuroanatomist, is the first person credited for identifying Alzheimer’s disease in 1906. A German woman, one of Alzheimer’s patients, who had been hospitalized since 1901 showed signs of dementia, including memory loss, disorientation, aphasia, confusion, hallucinations and delusions. After the woman died in 1906, at the request of Alzheimer, her brain and records were sent to him for research. Alzheimer died on December 19, 1915. In the years to follow with Alzheimer’s published articles and reexamination of the original specimens, Alzheimer was credited for the discovery.

The first ‘World Alzheimer Report’ was launched in 2009 on World Alzheimer’s Day and yearly reports have been issued every year since. Although the impact of the observance is spreading, the information gap and stigmatization concerning dementia remains an issue. Many people see the disease as a natural part of the aging process. Granted, advancement in age is among the major causes of Alzheimer’s disease, but it isn’t completely an elderly disease. There are a number of people under the age of 65 struggling with Alzheimer’s in the United States alone.

More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s. The cost of caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is estimated to total $335 billion in 2021. To find local support contact RSVP of Kay County at 580-762-9412. A trained facilitator leads the meetings at the monthly caregivers support group offered the second Monday each month at 1:00 p.m. There is no need to be alone in your efforts to help a loved one.