Good morning, welcome to our series sharing Unique Holidays: June, 2022. I would like to let you know this month is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. I must tell you first hand Alzheimer’s is a horrible disease which I’ve witnessed first hand. My dad’s grandfather had Alzheimer’s and didn’t even remember us which was heartbreaking especially to my dad.
Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month
Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month is observed in June. This is an opportunity to spread the word about and discuss Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Throughout the month, the Alzheimer’s Association encourages people around the globe to support the movement by wearing purple and training their brains to fight the disease.
HISTORY OF ALZHEIMER’S AND BRAIN AWARENESS MONTH
I would like to let you know the occurrence of dementia goes way back to before it was named. Ancient Egyptians, in 2000 B.C., were aware of the fact that memory declines as people grow old. Which is sad.
In the second Century A.D., Turkish doctor Aretheus described dementia by putting it in the same group as delirium. Delirium is the reversible acute disorder of cognitive function while dementia is an irreversible chronic disorder. Both are horrible diseases for those we love.
The fall of the Roman Empire in the Fifth Century led to the domination of theocracy during the Middle Ages. Dementia was thus regarded as a punishment from God for sins committed. The patients were considered to be possessed by demons and subject to hatred. During the 14th and 15th Centuries, such patients were also victims of witch hunts. Isn’t that horrible.
Saint Isidore, Archbishop of Seville, first used the word ‘dementia’ in his book “Etymologies” in around 600 A.D. Did you know this word is of Latin origin: ‘de’ meaning loss or deprivation, ‘ment’ meaning mind, and ‘ia’ indicating a state. So, ‘dementia’ means ‘loss of the state of the mind.’
In 1906, German physician Alois Alzheimer described the case of Auguste Deter, a 50-year-old woman with profound memory loss. This was the first recorded case of Alzheimer’s disease, although it was not called so then.
President Ronald Regan initiated the observance of Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month in 1983 to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s. Ronald Regan wanted to get people involved in the recognition of the diseases as well as the types of care required by someone suffering from Alzheimer’s.
HOW TO OBSERVE ALZHEIMER’S AND BRAIN AWARENESS MONTH
- I would like to ask you if you can to donate money to the Alzheimer’s Association this morning. Which can be done donate money online by looking up the Alzheimer’s Association website. Or you can donate your time by volunteering at Charitable Organizations that need dedicated volunteers, and encourage your family to participate as well.
- Communities around the world hold public events or Seminars to spread awareness about Alzheimer’s. Take part in these and you will find out more about the diseases and how you can contribute to the fight.
- Purple represents the fight against Alzheimer’s. Share an image of you and your family wearing purple. Then show your solidarity in the fight against Alzheimer’s. Use the hashtag #EndAlz and #AlzheimersAndBrainAwarenessMonth when sharing online.
5 FACTS ABOUT ALZHEIMER’S
- 47 million people around the world are living with Alzheimer’s and Dementias. If a change doesn’t come by 2030, this number will grow to 76 million.
- A person develops Alzheimer’s disease in the United States every 65 seconds.
- In America, more than 16 million people take care of family or friends with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Which is without pay.
- Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death and 6.2 million of those living with Alzheimer’s disease are over 65.
- Alzheimer’s or Dementia kills one in three seniors. Deaths due to this disease are more than Prostate Cancer and Breast Cancer combined.
WHY ALZHEIMER’S AND BRAIN AWARENESS MONTH IS IMPORTANT
- This month helps spread awareness about Alzheimer’s and other dementia along with the different kinds of care that people with the disease require. This holiday motivates people to learn more about the disease.
- People with Alzheimer’s or other dementia often withdraw from Society and family. This month promotes talking to them and reminding them that they are special.
- Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month is a way to propel research and find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. When more people come together, things are achieved faster.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
