Above / To help grow awareness for Alzheimer’s disease, a planter of forget-me-nots sits in front of Dog Patch Pet & Feed on Ogden Avenue.
This week the Rotary Club of Naperville / Downtown launched a campaign to help grow awareness for Alzheimer’s disease and progressive dementia.
Here’s why: Alzheimer’s disease (AD), is the most common form of dementia.
Currently, no cure has been discovered for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death.
First described by German psychiatrist and neuropathologist Alois Alzheimer in 1906, the devastating disease was named after him.
Usually thought to be an “older age-related disease,” diagnosed most often in individuals over 65 years of age, some Alzheimer’s can occur much earlier.
According the fact sheet at www.alz.org, Alzheimer’s is the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S. AD is also the only cause of death among the top 10 in the U.S. that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed.
In 2016, an estimated 5.4 million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer’s disease.
June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month
In one of my recent columns in Daily Herald, I mentioned my 88-year-old mother’s current challenges with dementia.
In the spirit of the awareness campaign planned by the Alzheimer’s Association on June 20, for Mother’s Day I planted a small garden of forget-me-nots in our yard, a tribute to my mother for all the love, joy and sacrifices she’s given to our family as she moves into 24-hour memory care.
As we live longer, only research can help the unpredictable conditions of memory loss that know no boundaries of age, social status or gender. Anyone can encounter symptoms affecting thinking and social abilities that accompany Alzheimer’s disease and progressive dementia.
I’m hopeful folks will live and learn to make the connection that a robust economy is our way to larger paychecks and generosity, a means to help fund nonprofit initiatives doing research for mental health and more.
Just recently, headlines announced that “financier Sandy Weill and wife Joan aim to advance brain research with $185 million gift” to the University of California at San Francisco for the creation of the Weill Institute for Neurosciences.
I cheered that news. Nickels and dimes will help, too.
In April 2015, the Rotarian Magazine featured a cover story titled “Slow Fade: New hope in the fight to stop Alzheimer’s.” The article highlighted an Action Group that connected Rotary Clubs and partner organizations to help heighten awareness of Alzheimer’s and dementia within Rotary and all communities. It hit home.
Shortly thereafter, I wrote my first column about my mother’s dementia and how it’s had an impact on my 93-year-old dad, her primary caregiver.
Since her diagnosis more than four years ago, I’ve experienced first hand that dementia is devastating for families as they watch loved ones succumb to memory loss and mood swings.
As my dad observes my mother’s progressive dementia, he describes it as a “horribly mean, damn disease.”
“The only thing I can count on is your mother’s moods are going to change,” my dad said. “Like the weather, there will be a change, especially when she looks forward to visits from her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.”
Above / Chuck Corrigan, a past president of the Rotary Club of Naperville / Downtown, volunteered the porch at his law office as a location for one of the forget-me-not pots.
Today that Rotary Action Group, based in Edgartown, Massachusetts, hosts a website, chock full of enlightening information, research breakthroughs and future goals. Find it at adrag.org.
Mindful that June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month, fellow Rotarians in the Rotary Club of Naperville / Downtown generously supported the project to help begin the discussion. Thanks to Carol Massat and Becca Massat at The Growing Place, we’ve set planters of blue forget-me-nots around town.
Tiny forget-me-nots are big reminders!
Remember. Tiny forget-me-nots are big reminders that during the month of June, individuals worldwide are asked to take the Purple Pledge. Be informed. Use your brains to fight Alzheimer’s disease and progressive dementia!
Visit Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.
Visit Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness to follow and learn what’s happening in June 2016 in Illinois.
While the forget-me-nots stay in bloom (usually about two weeks), planters with the tiny blue flowers will stay placed at a number of local businesses in downtown Naperville, at First Community Financial Bank in Naperville Plaza and at Dog Patch Pet & Feed.
Remember to think about Alzheimer’s and dementia every day and follow future developments and research.
I’ve grown to have incredible respect for caregivers who assist with folks challenged with dementia. I especially appreciate all the TLC my father has given my mother. On Valentine’s Day 2017, they’ll mark 70 years of marriage.
The planters are sponsored by the Rotary Club of Naperville / Downtown with flowers and design by The Growing Place. Thanks to all for taking an interest.
