Go purple for Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month

June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month. Get involved by wearing purple and inspiring others to take action. Show your support by visiting Shop for the Cause; use code ABAM20 for a 20 percent discount on your purchase of purple products.

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Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month begins

This June, join us as we recognize Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month.
Everyone with a brain is at risk to develop Alzheimer’s disease. Worldwide, there are at least 44 million people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, and without a change, this number is expected to grow to 76 million by 2030.
But everyone can help end this epidemic — especially you. Here’s how to get involved:


Go Purple — During the month of June, wear purple, the color of Alzheimer’s awareness, and inspire others to take action. Visit alz.org/shop and use codeABAM20 for a 20% discount on purple products. For other creative ideas to turn June purple, visit alz.org/abam.

Join The Longest Day® — On June 21, participate in The Longest Day to honor those living with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers. Do what you love from sunrise to sunset to raise funds and awareness for the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer’s Association. For you, it’s just one day. For people facing Alzheimer’s, it’s every day. Sign up now.

Share the Facts — Someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s every 67 seconds. Post, tweet and share the facts about this devastating disease and why fighting it is important to you.

Take Action — Learn how to become an advocate, participate in research through Alzheimer’s Association TrialMatch® or join our women’s movement by sharing why your brain matters.

Thank you for using your brain power this June to help fight Alzheimer’s disease.

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People with Alzheimer’s disease offer tips to overcome stigma

Facing stigma is often a primary concern of people living with Alzheimer’s and their care partners. Current and former Alzheimer’s Association National Early-Stage Advisors, individuals in the early stage of the disease who help raise awareness, offer tips to overcoming stigma based on their experience.

Overcoming Stigma

Facing stigma is often a primary concern of people living with Alzheimer’s and their care partners. Those with the disease report being misunderstood because of the myths and misconceptions others have about the disease.

• Why fight stigma
• The stigma experience
• Five tips

http://youtu.be/kIz6gurnNVc

Why we need to fight Alzheimer’s stigma

Stigma is the use of negative labels to identify a person with a disability or illness. Stigma around Alzheimer’s disease exists, in part, due to the lack of public awareness and understanding of the disease, preventing people from:

“If we’re going to find a cure, and we’re going to get the research and support that we need behind us, we need to have people coming out and not be ashamed of their diagnosis.”
Joan U., person living with Alzheimer’s

• Seeking medical treatment when symptoms are present
• Receiving an early diagnosis or any diagnosis at all
• Living the best quality of life possible while they are able to do so
• Making plans for their future
• Benefitting from available treatments
• Developing a support system
• Participating in clinical trials

Stigma and lack of awareness also impacts Alzheimer’s disease research. The government funds Alzheimer’s research at lower rates than other diseases, even when the cost of caring for Alzheimer’s disease is significantly higher.

The experience of Alzheimer’s stigma

Stigma and stereotypes are a significant obstacle to well-being and quality of life for those with dementia and their families. Here are some examples of the stigma you may experience:

• A diagnosis may test friendships. Friends may refuse to believe your diagnosis or withdraw from your life, leaving a feeling of abandonment or isolation.
• Relationships with family may change. Family members may not want to talk about the disease, perceive you as having little or no quality of life, or may avoid interacting with you.
• Others may approach your care partner to ask about you rather than asking you directly how you are doing.
• The reaction of some friends and family to your diagnosis may prevent you from seeking help from others.

Five tips to overcome Alzheimer’s stigma

The following tips are based on the advice and experience of current and former members of the Alzheimer’s Association National Early-Stage Advisory Group (ESAG), which consists of individuals in the early stage of the disease who help raise awareness about the disease.

1. Be open and direct.
   Engage others in discussions about Alzheimer’s disease and the need for prevention, better treatment and an eventual cure. Engage with others like you on our message boards.
2. Communicate the facts.
   Sharing accurate information is key to dispelling misconceptions about the disease. Whether a pamphlet or link to online content, offer information to help people better understand Alzheimer’s disease. Learn the facts about Alzheimer’s and find an education program near you.
3. Seek support and stay connected.
   It is important to stay engaged in meaningful relationships and activities. Whether family, friends or a support group, a network is critical.
   Contact your local chapter about an early-stage support group near you.
4. Don’t be discouraged.
   Denial of the disease by others is not a reflection of you. If people think that Alzheimer’s disease is normal aging, see it as an education opportunity.
   Tips for helping family and friends.
5. Be a part of the solution.
   As an individual living with the disease, yours is the most powerful voice to help raise awareness, end stigma and advocate for more Alzheimer’s support and research.
   Learn how you can take action in the fight against Alzheimer’s.

Become an Early-Stage Advisor
The Alzheimer’s Association is looking for individuals to be on our Early-Stage Advisory Group.
> Submit your nomination

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Educational programs near you

The Greater Illinois Chapter offers community and family education programs throughout the year. These programs are geared for family members, diagnosed individuals, and interested members of the community. Many of these programs are free of charge, but some conferences and workshops do have a registration fee attached to them. Register today!

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The Longest Day event honors those facing Alzheimer’s

On June 21, The Longest Day®, teams around the world will honor the strength, passion and endurance of those facing Alzheimer’s disease by participating in a sunrise-to-sunset fundraising event. Grab your friends, do what you love, and raise funds for the cause. Register by June 11 to receive your participant kit in time for The Longest Day.

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