June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness month, sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association to educate and heighten awareness of Alzheimer’s disease. It is also an opportunity to encourage individuals who suspect they, or a loved one, might be in the early phases of Alzheimer’s disease not to wait to take action. Alzheimer’s disease is a difficult topic for most of us to discuss, especially if we have any suspicions that a family member may have the disease. According to a new survey released by the Alzheimer’s Association, 3 out of 4 Americans said that broaching the subject of memory loss with a family member would be difficult.

That’s why the Alzheimer’s Association has made it their mission to educate and develop tools to help family members take initial steps to learn more about the disease and seek help earlier, rather than later.

As Michael Carson, Chief Marketing Officer for the Alzheimer’s Association says, “Initiating conversations sooner can enable early diagnosis, which offers many important benefits, including allowing more time for critical care planning, better disease management and providing diagnosed individuals a voice in their future care.”

So what can individuals do to help bring Alzheimer’s disease out from the shadows and into the conversation? Here are some ideas:

• Know the signs of early Alzheimer’s disease. These are easily accessed online through sites like the Alzheimer’s Association.
• Arm yourself with good information. Our Anthem Memory Care website has a resources section which lists organizations and other resources to learn more about the disease.
• Support family members and friends who are challenged with Alzheimer’s disease. What better time than now to reach out to those you know who are struggling with Alzheimer’s disease or caring for a family member.
• Find an event. Most cities sponsor walks to support the fight for the cure. Get involved and encourage neighbors and friends to join you.
• Join a dementia support group. If you are caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, there are groups you can join, along with other caregivers who are ready to share their stories and listen to yours. Anthem Memory Care communities have monthly dementia support groups which are free and open to everyone.

Finally keep up to date with the latest research and studies in your area. Organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association are dedicated to finding a cure for this devastating disease. Subscribe to newsletters and websites to stay informed.

Together we can continue the march towards finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. We applaud organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association for their tireless, ongoing efforts to shed light on the disease and support individuals struggling with Alzheimer’s as well as those caring for them.