Understanding Alzheimer's & Honoring the Mind: June is Alzheimer's – Rejûvaskin

Each June, we recognize Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month—a time to shine a light on one of the most complex and devastating diseases affecting millions of families across the globe. It’s also a moment to honor the strength of caregivers, support ongoing research, and educate ourselves on how to protect and nurture brain health at every stage of life.

What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and cognitive function. It’s the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60–80% of dementia cases worldwide. Symptoms often begin subtly—like forgetfulness or confusion—but eventually impact a person’s ability to carry out daily tasks, recognize loved ones, or communicate effectively.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 6 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s, and that number is expected to double by 2050.

Why June Matters

This month-long campaign is about more than just awareness—it’s about empowerment through education. Purple is the official color of the movement, symbolizing courage and strength. Whether you're wearing purple, sharing stories, or supporting a loved one through the journey, your voice matters.

Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month also encourages individuals to take small, daily steps to improve brain health, potentially reducing the risk of cognitive decline.

What Are the Early Signs?

Early detection can lead to earlier interventions and better quality of life. Common warning signs include:

Memory loss that disrupts daily life
Difficulty planning or solving problems
Confusion with time or place
Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
Changes in mood, personality, or social withdrawal

If you or someone you love is experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional.

Protecting Brain Health: What the Research Says

While there’s no cure for Alzheimer’s, research shows that up to 40% of dementia cases may be preventable through lifestyle changes (Livingston et al., 2020). Here are five evidence-based habits to support brain health:

Stay mentally active: Lifelong learning and brain games help build cognitive reserve, which delays symptom onset (Stern, 2012).
Eat smart: The MIND diet—rich in leafy greens, berries, and healthy fats—can lower Alzheimer’s risk by up to 53% (Morris et al., 2015).
Exercise regularly: Just 30 minutes of aerobic activity several times a week improves memory and increases brain volume (Erickson et al., 2011).
Stay connected: Low social engagement is linked to faster cognitive decline (Kuiper et al., 2015).
Prioritize sleep: Deep sleep helps remove brain toxins like amyloid-beta (Ju et al., 2014).

"What’s good for the heart is good for the brain." — Alzheimer’s Association

Supporting Caregivers and Families

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s is emotionally and physically demanding. Caregivers often experience high levels of stress, anxiety, and even isolation. If you know a caregiver, a small act of kindness—offering respite, sharing a meal, or just listening—can make a world of difference.

Organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association offer hotlines, support groups, and resources to help families navigate this difficult path.

How You Can Get Involved This Month

Wear Purple to show support
Share your story online with #ENDALZ
Donate to support research and caregiver resources
Host or join a local event like The Longest Day
Learn the 10 Warning Signs and share them in your community

Alzheimer’s doesn’t just affect memory—it affects lives. This June, let’s stand together to raise awareness, support research, and care for one another. Every action—no matter how small—moves us closer to a future without Alzheimer’s.

Works Cited

Erickson, K. I., Voss, M. W., Prakash, R. S., Basak, C., Szabo, A., Chaddock, L., ... & Kramer, A. F. (2011). Exercise training increases size of hippocampus and improves memory. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 108(7), 3017–3022. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1015950108

Ju, Y. E. S., Lucey, B. P., & Holtzman, D. M. (2014). Sleep and Alzheimer disease pathology—a bidirectional relationship. Nature Reviews Neurology, 10(2), 115–119. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2013.269

Kuiper, J. S., Zuidersma, M., Oude Voshaar, R. C., Zuidema, S. U., van den Heuvel, E. R., Stolk, R. P., & Smidt, N. (2015). Social relationships and risk of dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal cohort studies. Ageing Research Reviews, 22, 39–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2015.04.006

Livingston, G., Huntley, J., Sommerlad, A., Ames, D., Ballard, C., Banerjee, S., ... & Mukadam, N. (2020). Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission. The Lancet, 396(10248), 413–446. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)30367-6

Morris, M. C., Tangney, C. C., Wang, Y., Sacks, F. M., Bennett, D. A., & Aggarwal, N. T. (2015). MIND diet slows cognitive decline with aging. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 11(9), 1015–1022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jalz.2015.04.011

Stern, Y. (2012). Cognitive reserve in ageing and Alzheimer’s disease. The Lancet Neurology, 11(11), 1006–1012. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(12)70191-6