June Is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month

Sodexo Seniors Client Newsletter Spring 2022

Today, more than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's, the most common form of dementia. By 2050, this number is projected to rise to nearly 13 million. Dementia or some form of cognitive impairment exists in every part of the senior living community— including 60% of the population in assisted living environments. Given these statistics, it is imperative that senior living providers, caregivers, and the overall public become more informed about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month—which provides an opportunity for millions of people around the country to share information and resources about effective treatments, preventive strategies, and how to provide standard care to those affected. Whether it is in the form of advocacy or volunteering with organizations such as the Alzheimer's Association, everyone can participate.

Number & Ages of People 65 or Older with Alzheimer's Dementia, 2022

Graphic: Total number of people with Alzheimer’s Dementia is 6.5 million. 1.75 million (27%) are between the ages of 65 and 74, 2.41 million (37.2%) are ages 75-84 and 2.31 million (35.7%) are 85+.

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Whatever your skills and whatever time you have available is useful, as there are often in-person and virtual opportunities to provide vital support for people living with Alzheimer's and their families. The Alzheimer’s Association also recommends that everyone “Go Purple” in June—by wearing purple throughout the month and flooding social media with the color.

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Graphic: On June 21, Join the Fight to End Alzheimer’s by participating in an event on The Longest Day.

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Raising awareness can help people recognize the early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's and dementia. Because a growing number of residents in senior living communities are impacted, next-level hospitality services are needed to improve clinical outcomes and enable adults with cognitive impairments to thrive in place longer.

In many cases, it begins with your own staff. For example, Sodexo Seniors’ B Integrated Dining & Therapeutic Hospitality™ program takes a holistic approach to benefit residents who may have mild cognitive impairment or dementia across all levels of care. The B program offers team members evidence-based education and training to recognize signs of dementia and to work more closely with clinical care teams. It also highlights steps team members can take with dining room layouts and hospitality approaches to create a more inclusive environment for residents with cognitive impairment. Taking a collective approach is essential to providing the care your residents need and deserve.

The more people are aware of the impact of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, the more action we can inspire. Visit the Alzheimer’s Association for further actions and recommendations on raising awareness. For more information about our B Integrated Dining & Therapeutic Hospitality™ program, please contact your Sodexo Seniors representative.