June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month
If you’re caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease, purple is your color and the sixth month of the year should have special meaning. That’s because June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month. It’s the ideal time to educate yourself and others about Alzheimer’s, so more can be done to prevent and/or treat it.
Many people around the country are getting involved with social media campaigns (#EndAlz or #EndAlzheimers) and fundraising, while others are advocating in Washington for funding, support and education around Alzheimer’s disease.
On June 21, which represents the summer solstice, people across the world come together on The Longest Day to raise funds and awareness for the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association.
You can be part of all these efforts and more informed yourself.
More than 5 million Americans are living with dementia. (Alzheimer’s is one form of dementia.) It’s the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. Meanwhile, more than 16 million family members and friends provide care to people with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia in the U.S. And those caregivers need support.
As a caregiver, responsibilities can mount to the point you forget to take care of yourself. Yet to care for others, you have to be physically and mentally strong yourself.
Here are some quick self-care tips:
Be self-aware
- Pay attention to your own exhaustion, stress, sleeplessness, mood changes or appetite changes. These can impact your overall health and need to be addressed by your doctor.
- Take breaks regularly. Ask for help when you need it and plan for some time to yourself at least once a week. Consider respite care to allow yourself to recharge.
Move it
- Get some exercise, even if it’s in bite-size amounts to start. Take a 10-minute walk outside and build up to at least 30 minutes.
- Create a schedule that works exercise time into your day.
- Take advantage of when your loved one naps to sneak in yoga or another form of exercise.
- Exercise with your loved one. Take a walk outside or inside a mall, dance together or garden side-by-side.
Take control
- When you feel like you’re being pulled in many directions, find ways to take control of your life. Schedule your daily activities and build in time for self-care and respite.
- If you’re caring for a loved one yourself, develop a plan for future care as Alzheimer’s progresses. Start by visiting memory care residences to find a place that fits best with your family’s needs.
- Another way to feel more in control is by getting involved to make a difference. Learn more about Alzheimer’s disease, participate in the Alzheimer’s Association’s Longest Day campaign and/or help educate others about the disease through social media, personal conversations and other channels.
One exceptional place to consider is McKnight Place Memory Care, where a dedicated staff and memory care specialists are equipped to serve senior adults of all cognitive abilities. Residents and families find peace of mind in the community’s secure, nurturing environment, complemented by exceptional service and a beautiful, elegant setting.
Come See For Yourself
For more information or to schedule a personal tour, please call 314-993-3333 (Assisted Living & Memory Care) or 314-993-2221 (Skilled Nursing).