VITALIA Solon 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, also known as the summer solstice, marks the first day of summer, as the day where the sun is shining the longest. While this day has previously been celebrated as a start to summer where people can enjoy the sunshine longer, it is now honored for those battling the darkness of Alzheimer’s disease. It serves as a platform to educate the world about the disease and allows everyone to make a difference through fundraising opportunities.

The Longest Day is an opportunity to shed light on the realities of Alzheimer’s disease and open the world to some of the struggles that our residents, family members, and friends have all faced throughout their Alzheimer’s journey. As a Memory Care Director, I am happy to have this chance to help educate the community and to help improve the quality of life for all of those who are battling Alzheimer’s Disease.

Here at VITALIA Senior Residences® at Stow Stow, OH the Solon Strikers will be hosting a “longest volley” tournament, where residents, friends, and family can come watch our skills and wager on what the longest volley will be throughout the community.

The neighborhood is always looking for volunteers for a variety of activities. We like to keep the residents up and moving and love having special guests who can help encourage them to get involved. We also encourage one-on-one visits, which help some of our residents get some much-needed, extra attention. This allows for focus on the individual and makes them feel comfortable and loved in their environment.

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.