The month of November is known as Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. President Ronald Reagan made that designation in 1983, and it is something that is still recognized today. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, at that time there were less than two million people with the disease. Through the years that number has grown to more than five million.
What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is a disease of the brain. It causes many neurons in the brain to die. Alzheimer’s affects a person’s ability to remember things, think clearly and use good judgment.
Doctors do not know what causes the disease. What they do know is that most of the time it starts after 60 years. Almost half of the people who are 85 or older could have Alzheimer’s.
People with Alzheimer’s have problems doing everyday things, how to drive a car, prepare a meal or pay bills. They can easily get lost and can find things that are merely confusing. Some people worry, they become angry or violent.
As Alzheimer’s disease advances, most people with the disease need someone to take care of all their needs, including help with eating and bathing. Some people with Alzheimer’s live in their home with someone who takes care of them. Other people with the disease live in a memory care community.
Alzheimer’s is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. 5.7 Million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease. By 2020, this figure is expected to increase to almost 14 million. 1 in 3 older adults dies with Alzheimer’s or other dementia.
What can we do?
As a community, we can come together to raise awareness and funds to assist those diagnosed and their families. To celebrate Alzheimer’s Awareness month, join Assistance to the Elderly, Inc, Residential Plaza and its Memory Care Program for their annual event, Cuban Night for Alzheimer’s, Let’s Dance for a Cause!
Join many of our corporate partners and community leaders to end Alzheimer’s, FedEx, Lifeline Home Healthcare Providers, Premier Clinical Research Institute, Vitas Healthcare, My Care Pharmacy, Verdejas De Armas, El Pidio Produce, Hunton Andrews Kurth, Independent Rehabilitation, Pita Weber Del Prado Attorneys, Rovy Repair Services, Simply Healthcare, TD Bank, Trinet, United HomeCare, WellMed, and many more to raise awareness and funds in our community to provide care and services to those who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease.
We invite you to the Cuban Night for Alzheimer’s, Let’s Dance for a Cause! Friday, November 30, 2018, at the Donna E. Shalala Student Center at the University of Miami.
For more information visit: www.residentialplaza.com/2018cubannight
