June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month

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The purpose of observing Alzheimer’s and Brain awareness every June is to raise awareness and show support for the millions of people living with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. This month is also a time to recognize caregivers for the support they provide to individuals living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

Globally, 55 million people are living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Dementia is not a specific disease but is a general term describing impaired ability to think, remember, or make decisions that interferes with daily activities.

Common signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s include:

• memory loss that disrupts daily life
• difficulty completing familiar tasks such as driving to a familiar location
• challenges in following a plan (ie. Following a recipe) or working with numbers when handling bills
• confusion with time or place

Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of all dementia cases and recognizing some of the signs and symptoms can help determine if talking to your healthcare provider is the next step. There are differences between Alzheimer’s and typical age-related changes, but with early detection, you can explore treatment options. Supporting a loved one with Alzheimer’s includes reassuring them that they are safe, and you are there to help them, keeping conversations simple by saying one thing at a time and giving them time to respond, and most of all – being patient.

IFH has multiple ongoing studies related to memory, aging, and brain health. Click here to see if you’re eligible for one of the studies.

Featured Studies:

• Memory and Aging Study: this study seeks to better understand aging, dementia, and long COVID.
  • Eligibility: Healthy middle-aged and older adults (whether you have COVID-19 or not), as well as people with memory and thinking problems due to long-COVID (“brain fog”), mild Alzheimer’s, frontotemporal dementia, or ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease).
  • Learn more about this study: call (848) 932-4633 or email memory411@rutgers.edu
• South Asian Brain Health Study: This study seeks to better understand patterns of aging in people of South Asian descent and how brain aging differs between people. To participate, you’ll be invited to our research center in Piscataway, NJ to have a brain MRI and perform memory and thinking activities guided by one of our research staff members. Participants will also be sent an email link to complete online surveys.
  • Eligibility: You may be eligible to participate if you are of South Asian descent, over 60-years old and English-speaking.
  • Learn how to participate: call (848) 932-4633 or email memory411@rutgers.edu

References:

https://www.cdc.gov/aging/aginginfo/alzheimers.htm

https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/10_signs

https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/managing-personality-and-behavior-changes-alzheimers