One thing about working from home (now for about 12 weeks) is that you get to know your neighborhood.
Every afternoon around 5:30, I venture out to the front porch and sit in the swing and chat across the front yard with my neighbors who are out walking on the sidewalk.
There are lots of strollers, young kids on push scooters, kids a bit older on bikes with training wheels, and in fact my next door neighbor’s two daughters just recently had their wheels removed and are now biking on their own.
Did I mention there are plenty of dog walkers, too?
I watch and I wonder — will one of these neighbors be the first survivor of Alzheimer’s?
To defeat Alzheimer’s we have to know Alzheimer’s. To that end, June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month.
“Alzheimer’s is a devastating disease and it’s so important to educate ourselves about the disease. 1 in 3 seniors will die with Alzheimer’s or some form of dementia and it touch-es almost every family,” said Audrey Kwik, Program Director with the Alzheimer’s Association. “We tend to focus a lot on our physical health, but there are things we can do each and every day to protect our brain health.” Kwik says that regular cardiovascular exercise, quitting smoking, and eating a healthy and balanced diet are just a few of the ways to keep your brain healthy.
“You should also keep learning, keep your brain active, and continue to do the simple things, like wearing a helmet when you bicycle.”
I might add that all the kids in my neighborhood and most of the adults are wearing bike helmets,— but as we all know, bike helmets alone won’t do it. That’s why the Alzheimer’s Association urges you to take part in June’s “The Longest Day” events.
What do you want do? Go to alz. org/thelongestday to learn more and sign up.
And just a reminder — you can get information about the Association’s COVID-19 emergency preparedness guidelines for Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers in long-term or community-based care settings here: https://alz.org/professionals/.
The Alzheimer’s Association leads the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. Visit alz. org or call 800-272-3900.