It might start with your mother forgetting her keys, the name of a long-time friend, or missing a hair appointment.
Eventually, she’ll likely forget why her keys start the car, who that long-time friend is, and she’ll need a loved one to brush her hair.
These are the tell-tale signs of Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, which affects millions of people each year.
There’s a good chance at least one person in your organization has been touched by Alzheimer’s in some way, whether it’s caring for an aging parent battling the disease, or perhaps noticing the symptoms in themselves.
On this “World Alzheimer’s Day,” we pause to honor those waging war against Alzheimer’s and the caregivers helping them on this difficult, emotional journey.
Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) launched Alzheimer’s Awareness Month in 2012, designating September 21st as “World Alzheimer’s Day” as a way to raise awareness, to advocate, and to shine a light on the disease.
While there’s no cure, there are dozens of on-going clinical trials that could soon unlock the key to one.
And, with recent news of an FDA-approved medication for those suffering from early onset Alzheimer’s, there’s reason for optimism.
If you know someone struggling with the disease, whether as a caregiver or a patient, let them know you support them on this day and beyond.