September 21 is Alzheimer's Action Day

September is World Alzheimer's Month, and the perfect time to wear my favorite color: purple.

The Alzheimer's Association is working to raise awareness about Alzheimer's Disease, a condition that affects many, many people. According to the Mayo Clinic's web site, "It's the most common cause of dementia - a group of brain disorders that cause progressive loss of intellectual and social skills, severe enough to interfere with day-to-day life."

On Alzheimer's Action Day, September 21, we have the opportunity to join the fight against Alzheimer's by wearing purple and changing our Facebook profile pictures to the Alzheimer's Association's "End Alz" icon. You can find the icon and more information about World Alzheimer's Month by clicking here.

Alzheimer's is a disease that has personally affected me as both my maternal grandparents and my husband's grandmother suffered from it. There is nothing more heart breaking than seeing someone you love lose control of their brain's actions and act in ways you know they could have never imagined. It takes a lot of courage to remind yourself it is not your loved one, but the Alzheimer's Disease, speaking and acting out.

The Alzheimer's Association's web site states the organization's vision is "A world without Alzheimer's." We all know the best place to start a change is with ourselves. According to the nonprofit resource helpguide.org, there are six pillars of a brain-healthy lifestyle: regular exercise, healthy diet, mental stimulation, quality sleep, stress management and an active social life. Click here to learn more about taking a proactive approach to ending Alzheimer's Disease, starting with yourself.

Wearing purple and changing your profile picture takes little time or effort, but the amount of awareness we could raise about Alzheimer's Disease is endless.