It’s Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month! Started in 1983 by President Ronald Reagan, this month is an incredible opportunity to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, which was recently declared a public health crisis. When Awareness Month was first established, less than two million were living with the disease. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, it is estimated that more than five million adults are now living with it.
The symptoms of this devastating disease not only impact the person experiencing memory loss, but they also change the lives of those caring for them. The challenges that come with caring and supporting a loved one with memory loss often go unspoken, creating an unnecessary stigma.
I’ve launched a campaign to connect caregivers, share stories and create cultures of awareness in communities that care for those with dementia symptoms. I hope you’ll join me in supporting this important cause. Here’s how to get involved.
Join the #IAMDementiaAware campaign: Learn what it means to be Dementia Aware and begin by experiencing what it’s like for someone to live with dementia symptoms. Step into the shoes of someone with memory loss in a first-hand video experience that will enable you to do this at laurawayman.com/iamdementiaaware.
Share your stories: When you share your important stories and connect with other caregivers, you help end the stigma often associated with memory impairment. Share your experiences and joyful caregiving moments on social media to ignite conversations, connect with the caregiving community and raise awareness among the general public.
Become a Dementia Aware Certified Safe Space: In celebration of Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, I’m discounting my training packages for care facilities and first responders by 20 percent. We can’t stop dementia, but we can create positive experiences and safe, loving spaces for those in our care.
Make a donation towards research: While researchers have made great strides toward discovering the causes of dementia, there is unfortunately not a cure yet. Research funding is limited, and a donation will support education, research and support of caregivers.
Take a loving approach to care: Whether it’s your parent, sibling, spouse or someone else you love, caring for someone with memory loss is life-altering. In my free webinar, I offer strategies that can help you better care for your loved ones so that you can enhance their journey and daily experiences.
Together, we can raise awareness to support care and services available to those living with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia symptoms. Every action that you take to spread awareness gets us one step closer to making dementia a global health priority.