Alzheimer’s Association uses solstice to bring light to dementias

The Alzheimer’s Association wants you to enjoy the sunshine today and help end the sundowning.

The nonprofit organization celebrates the start of summer with The Longest Day, an event to honor those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia as well as their caregivers.

“For those facing Alzheimer’s, every day is the longest day,” says Donna McCullough, chief development officer of the Alzheimer’s Association in a press release. “The Longest Day honors the strength, heart and endurance of people with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers. By coming together on this day, we show these families that they are not alone and inspire hope for our vision: a world without Alzheimer’s.”

Teams of people from around the world will partake in activities of their choice to raise money and awareness for the disease, including baking, karaoke, a motorcycle ride from Mexico to Canada, hiking to 48 mountain tops, a rock-a-thon with rocking chairs and multiple cross-country cycling rides. People are asked to wear purple and share their photos on social media using the hashtags #ENDALZ and #TLD.

The Inaugural Global Team American Contract Bridge League will be participating for the fourth year. The league has 168 teams in all 50 states that will be teaching bridge lessons and holding tournaments. Global Teams NuStep, PS Lifestyle and Senior Lifestyle living communities are also sponsors of this year’s events. Throughout the month, select Good Neighbor Pharmacy stores will have a checkout fundraising program.  

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. An estimated 47 million people worldwide have Alzheimer’s and other dementias, including more than 5 million Americans. That number is expected to triple by 2050 unless new treatments are found.

Tweets about #TLD #ENDALZ

Nicole Stempak

Nicole was Senior Editor at I Advance Senior Care and Long Term Living Magazine 2015-2017. She has a Journalism degree from Kent State University and is finalizing a master’s degree in Information Architecture and Management. She has extensive studies in the digital user experience and in branding online media. She has worked as an editor and writer for various B2B publications, including Business Finance.