Hayes & Fisk

Support World Alzheimer’s Day | September 21, 2015

World Alzheimer’s Day, September 21st of each year, is a day on which Alzheimer’s organizations around the world concentrate their efforts on raising awareness about Alzheimer’s and dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, a group of disorders that impairs mental functioning.

Below are six facts about World Alzheimer’s Day and the disease itself.

1. Millions are affected: The Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation says 5.4 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease; 47 million people worldwide are living with a form of dementia, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

2. People are diagnosed often: Every 68 seconds someone develops Alzheimer’s. With the number of cases growing, some 16 million Americans are predicted to be living with the disease by 2050.

3. Alzheimer’s usually occurs in older people: Most people living with Alzheimer’s disease are over 65, but those younger than 65 can develop the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

4. The disease has proved deadly: Alzheimer’s is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. People typically live about eight years after their symptoms become noticeable to others, but survival can range from four to 20 years.

5. Go purple: The Alzheimer’s Association encourages people to wear purple, the color commonly used to show support for the cause, on World Alzheimer’s Day. The organization also suggests supporters of Alzheimer awareness plan events at work or engage on social media to “go purple with a purpose.”

6. There are ways to make a difference: A blog post on the Huffington Post lists a few straightforward ways to take action on World Alzheimer’s Day, including thanking a caretaker or joining the Alzheimer’s Prevention Registry. Check out the full post here.

There are many different ways you and your company can support going purple on Alzheimer’s Action Day, September 21st:
– Make a donation to your local Alzheimer’s chapter – call 1-800-272-3900
– Schedule a “purple with a purpose” event to raise awareness at your company
– Turn Facebook purple
– If you own a business, create a purple product
– Create a fundraising/awareness campaign by selling Forget-Me-Not flowers
– Be an advocate – write to your local legislators and representatives about increasing funding for Alzheimer’s disease.

At Hayes & Fisk we have the honor of photographing family portraits with multiple generations represented. Many times our clients tell us they want to preserve those memories simply because they don’t know what life might throw at them, at any given point. On this day we just want to show our support for World Alzheimer’s Day in honor of all of our clients, in hopes that together we can help find a cure for this disease that impacts so many lives.