As we experience milestones and important events in our lives, it is the memories of all that we have done that remain with us as we age.  Unfortunately, there are millions of Americans who lose these cherished memories due to Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.  Alzheimer’s disease and dementia can greatly impact not only the lives of those affected, but also their families who must ensure that they get the proper care.

The month of June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, a month in which we raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia and focus on the importance of brain health.  Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month also calls attention to the type of care that dementia patients receive to ensure that they get the compassionate care they need to live the best possible quality of life.

At Assisting Hands Palm Beach, we understand the challenges faced by dementia patients and their families, especially when it comes to ensuring that they get the proper care.  As a provider of home care for dementia patients, we observe Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month by doing our part to raise awareness and ensure that we are always providing the best possible Alzheimer’s and dementia home care.

The following statistics from the Alzheimer’s Association highlight the importance of Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month:

• As of 2024, there are almost 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s. 9 million of those affected are 65 or older and 73% are 75 or older.
• A little more than 10% of seniors over the age of 65 are affected by Alzheimer’s, two-thirds of whom are women.
• The number of people affected by Alzheimer’s in the U.S. is expected to increase to more than 12.7 million by 2050 as the population of people over 65 grows.

What is Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia?

Even though they are often used interchangeably, the terms “Alzheimer’s disease” and “dementia” have different meanings.  Dementia is a general term for a range of degenerative conditions that cause declining cognitive abilities and memory loss.  Alzheimer’s disease is a specific type of dementia that is believed to be responsible for 60-80 percent of all dementia cases.  Dementia is also the 7^th leading cause of death in the U.S. as of 2024.

It is important to recognize the early signs of dementia in your loved ones so you can ensure that they get the care they need as soon as possible.  However, it may be difficult to distinguish early signs of dementia from normal aging as it is common for seniors to have occasional lapses in memory.

The following are early signs of Alzheimer’s and dementia:

• Consistent lapses in memory that are disrupting daily life
• Impaired reasoning and poor judgement
• Inability to make plans or manage a budget
• Irrational behavior and mood swings
• Unaware of the date or season
• Difficulty holding a conversation

If any of these symptoms are happening consistently, there is a good chance your loved one is affected by dementia.  Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia are degenerative conditions which means that the symptoms will continue to get worse.  Ensuring that your loved ones get the proper care as early as possible will help improve their well-being and quality of life.

Focus on Brain Health

One of the best ways to combat Alzheimer’s and dementia is to take steps to prevent it in the first place.  People of all ages should focus on their brain health and develop healthy habits that can reduce the risk of cognitive decline and conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.  The following are some things you and your loved ones can do to promote brain health:

• Challenge yourself: The best way to keep your mind sharp is to challenge yourself by being artistic, learning new skills, or reading about new subjects and ideas. These activities put your brain to work.
• Pursue education: Pursuing an education keeps your mind active learning new things which can decrease the risk of dementia. Encourage loved ones to pursue the highest level of education possible and consider taking classes yourself.
• Exercise: Incorporate regular exercise into your daily life. Physical activities raise your heart rate which increases blood flow to the brain.
• Protect your head: Always protect your head from injuries by wearing a helmet when necessary, wearing a seatbelt in the car, taking precautions for sports and physical activities, and helping senior loved ones avoid falls.
• Don’t smoke: Those who smoke have a lower risk of cognitive decline than those who do. Even quitting smoking can lower your risk.
• Watch blood pressure: You can prevent high blood pressure with healthy eating habits and physical activity. Medications can also help keep your blood pressure under control.
• Manage diabetes: Managing Type 2 diabetes with a healthy diet, exercise, and taking medications can lower the risk of cognitive decline.
• Maintain healthy weight: A healthy diet and exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight.
• Get good sleep: Getting good quality sleep consistently can do wonders for brain health. Make sure the room where you sleep is comfortable and avoid screens before bed.  If you suffer from conditions that can affect your sleep like sleep apnea, make sure you get the treatment necessary to improve your quality of sleep.

How to Get Involved for Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month

There are many ways you can get involved to raise awareness during Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month:

• Participate in an event: Find a local event such as the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. The money raised at these events goes towards further care, support, and research to help those affected by Alzheimer’s.
• Volunteer: You can volunteer at events that raise money and awareness for Alzheimer’s or through the Alzheimer’s Association to help promote brain health and raise awareness of the early signs of dementia.
• Wear purple: Purple is the color of Alzheimer’s awareness. You can wear purple throughout the month and even purchase #ENDALZ merchandise from the Alzheimer’s Association.  Proceeds go towards care, support, and research.
• Share a story: If someone in your family has been affected by Alzheimer’s, share your story with the hashtag #ENDALZ. Sharing stories can be therapeutic and positively impact others.
• Donate: You can always donate directly to organizations that provide care for those with Alzheimer’s or work to improve our understanding and treatment of Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care from Assisting Hands

Throughout the month of June, take action to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia and focus on your brain health.  If you have senior loved ones, look out for possible signs of dementia and encourage them to engage in activities that improve their brain health.  When additional care is needed for those affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, reach out to Assisting Hand Palm Beach.

The best place for dementia patients to receive care is in the familiar environment of their homes.  We provide professional, non-medical Alzheimer’s and dementia care to help those affected live safely and comfortably at home.  Our licensed caregivers can help with personal care and assistance, and we can respond to common behaviors of dementia patients, such as wandering and mood swings, to ensure their safety.

You can call Assisting Hands Palm Beach at (561) 566-5989 for more about our Alzheimer’s and dementia care services in Palm Beach, West Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, Jupiter, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Royal Palm Beach, Wellington FL, and the surrounding areas