VITALIA Stow Raising Alzheimer’s Awareness on the Longest Day

As we work to create light for others, we naturally light our own way.

Mary Anne Radmacher

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, when those whose lives have been touched by memory-impairing diseases come together and raise awareness through education and support. This month includes June 21st, the summer solstice and the longest day of sunshine and light during the calendar year.

Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia affect over five million individuals in the United States alone. If we continue this current trajectory, this number is expected to triple by the year 2050. The impact of Alzheimer’s on individuals and those who love them is astounding. Memory, personality, problem solving, safety awareness, decision making, relationships – all these things and more are affected through no fault or choice of the individual. For families, this can feel like a loss that never seems to end.

While dementia is incredibly challenging for everyone involved, there are ways that each one of us can bring light to the darkness.

The longest day is the day with the most light, also known as the summer solstice. On June 21st, people from all over the world will fight the darkness of Alzheimer’s through fundraising.

As Memory Care Director, The Longest Day is meaningful to me. It is a day that is completely dedicated to raising awareness about Alzheimer’s. It is a day for everyone to come together for a common goal. Alzheimer’s has a profound impact on everyone that it touches. As friends, families, and caregivers of those living with Alzheimer’s, we need to stand together not only to raise awareness and funds, but to support each other when we need it most.

We at VITALIA Senior Residences® at Stow Stow, OH want to make sure that the entire community is educated about the meaning of The Longest Day and a little bit about Alzheimer’s Disease. We will have an educational piece dedicated to this goal. We will also be baking our resident’s favorite recipes with Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care, then selling our baked goods. Our staff want to be involved too, so many will be baking and bringing in their goodies to sell as well. We are excited to invite families to come spend time with us and enjoy our delicious baked goods.

We always invite and encourage friends and families to spend time in our neighborhood. They can show off any special talents or interests they may have. Our residents love learning and trying new things. Music & Pet Therapy are very popular, especially with our Memory Care residents. Even if visitors are more comfortable just spending time with the residents reminiscing, sitting outside, or having an afternoon snack, it is all enjoyed. Whatever the activity is, having new faces with new ideas and experiences in the Neighborhood is always a welcome gift!

Let’s join as communities throughout this month to honor, love, and support not only those living with dementia, but their families as well. If your life is personally touched by this disease, we are here for you.