June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. Over seven million people in the U.S. have Alzheimer’s disease. By 2050, it’s estimated that the number will rise to 13 million.
During Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, health professionals and organizations raise awareness about the symptoms and risk factors of Alzheimer’s and other conditions affecting brain health, such as dementia.
In addition to observing Alzheimer’s Awareness Month in June, September 21 is World Alzheimer’s Day, which is another occasion when organizations strive to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s.
What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia; however, there are some key distinctions between Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s is a primary form of dementia that is classified as a brain disease. It’s an incurable disease that attacks the brain, affecting the regions that control language, reasoning, and decision-making. People with Alzheimer’s can also experience fear and frustration as their cognitive abilities decline.
Additionally, Alzheimer’s causes memory loss. People with Alzheimer’s forget how to perform tasks and lose memories of people, places, and life events.
As their cognitive functions decline, they eventually become unable to make sound decisions.
Dementia
Dementia refers to several conditions and symptoms, including Alzheimer’s disease. People with dementia struggle with issues affecting their:
- Behavior
- Decision-making skills
- Language
- Learning
- Memory
- Mood
- Thinking
As cognitive abilities decline, people with dementia can experience multiple symptoms, including:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Fidgeting
- Irritation
- Paranoia
Initially, those with dementia may lose the ability to make new short-term memories and learn. Eventually, dementia prevents individuals from recalling long-term memories. Cognitive skills also decline as dementia progresses, preventing people with dementia from using sound judgment and affecting their ability to make decisions and perform routine tasks.
Dementia can also cause personality changes. Many individuals with dementia struggle with frustration as their memory and cognitive functions decline, which can cause behavioral issues, such as fidgeting, social withdrawal, anxiety, and depression.
In some cases, dementia can be reversible, and other issues, such as infections, can cause some forms of dementia.
Why Alzheimer’s Awareness Matters
Combined, Alzheimer’s and dementia are factors in 33% of older adult deaths. The odds of women 45 and older getting Alzheimer’s is 20%, while the odds for men in this age group is 10%.
Alzheimer’s significantly impacts the families of those with the disease because their loved one will eventually forget who they are. The behavioral changes are also challenging for family members to cope with.
In addition to the emotional impact, family members must address their loved one’s eventual need for around-the-clock care, which is expensive.
Identifying signs of Alzheimer’s in its earliest stages enables those affected to receive early intervention. Receiving new treatments earlier slows the disease’s progression, giving individuals more time before they suffer severe cognitive decline.
Early Signs Of Alzheimer’s And Cognitive Decline
Early warning signs indicating that someone may have Alzheimer’s include:
- Confusion with time
- Difficulty managing finances
- Forgetting places or directions
- Memory lapses, such as temporarily forgetting an appointment but recalling it later
- Struggling to recall words
Memory lapses and challenges with routine tasks eventually interfere with a person’s daily life, and communication issues can prevent them from expressing needs or interacting with others.
Poor judgment, mood issues, personality changes, and behavioral changes are also early symptoms. Cognitive issues, such as memory lapses, can interfere with their judgment and decision-making.
Risk Factors For Alzheimer’s Disease
The risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease include:
- Age
- Family history
- Genetics
- Lifestyle factors, including:
- Lack of mental stimulation
- Lack of physical activity
- Lack of sleep
- Poor diet
- Smoking
- Medical conditions, including:
- Coronary artery disease
- Diabetes
- Heart failure
- High blood pressure
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle, regular mental and physical exercise, eating healthy foods, and quitting smoking are ways to reduce the risk of getting Alzheimer’s.
How Skilled Nursing And Memory Care Can Help
As the disease progresses, those with Alzheimer’s need support. In skilled nursing care, individuals are monitored and provided with a safe environment with structured daily routines.
Skilled nursing care teams also provide medication management and educational support for families and caregivers. Those attending team meetings can learn strategies to help address behavioral or cognitive issues that arise.
Like skilled nursing care, Alzheimer’s memory care programs involve establishing structured daily routines in a safe environment. Staff manage medications and monitor residents to ensure their well-being. Memory care teams also lead activities that engage in cognitive skills and provide mental stimulation, which can slow the disease’s progression. Additionally, memory care professionals help residents with mental processing when they are making decisions.
In both skilled nursing and memory care programs, professionals collaborate with family members to develop customized care plans that meet the individual’s needs and treatment goals.
Why Choose Haven Health In Arizona?
Haven Health’s skilled nursing and memory care professionals are highly trained and experienced, providing expert, compassionate care for those with Alzheimer’s. At Haven Health, we prioritize ensuring that each resident is treated with dignity and enjoys the best possible quality of life in a safe environment.
In addition to supporting our residents, we also support their family members, ensuring you receive the information and support you need to care for your loved one and make the most of the time you have together.
Haven Health provides skilled nursing and memory care services in multiple locations throughout Arizona, enabling your loved one to receive care near their home or family.
Sources:
Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures. (2026).
Alzra. (2025). World Alzheimer’s Day 2025: Theme, Significance, & Alzheimer’s Awareness.
Dementia. (2025).