Since 2014 the month of June has been designated Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month by the Alzheimer’s Association, the voluntary health organization with a mission to “lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia –by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.”
Residences Senior Living couldn’t agree more with the vision to live in a world without this debilitating disease and the need to encourage a global conversation about the brain and dementia. Our world is here, in Northwest Indiana, so we have joined the local efforts and encourage our entire community to participate. Our goal is to provide a welcoming venue for hosting those agents serving Lake and Porter Counties with expertise and even more resources for those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia—that includes families and caregivers.
The Alzheimer’s Association is tops in advocacy for caregivers and families. Visit their website often for up to date information alz.org. Every month we host the support groups led by our own Director of Social Services, Lindsey Sherron, MSW, through Alzheimer’s & Dementia Services of Northern Indiana: 10 a.m. 3rd Tuesdays, Residences at Coffee Creek in Chesterton and 10 a.m. 3rd Saturdays, at Deer Creek in Schererville. The power of caregivers and families coming together, sharing coping tips, stories, and encouragement while gaining knowledge and information about the disease from professionals, is extraordinary. Families are so grateful for the opportunity. Check our Events calendar.
Dementia & Dine is a well-received series we’ve introduced to our communities and families to gain insights about a variety of topics ranging from diagnosis, prevention, financial implications and resources, to specific strategies for interacting with those who have Alzheimer’s or dementia. Jenna Turner is the Dementia Outreach Specialist from CoAction who presents information at both our communities.
“Walk with Me” is a virtual experience of dementia we provide as a community service during the year. It takes about 15 minutes for participants, using physical barriers to the simplest of actions, to understand first-hand what it feels and looks like to live when the brain hinders the senses.
Raising awareness means learning more about Alzheimer’s and dementia, symptoms, and ways to support caregivers. The latest 2025 reports from the Alzheimer’s Association indicates in the US there are more than 7 million people aged 65 and older living with the disease. Two-thirds of Americans have at least one potential risk factor for dementia. Brain changes that cause Alzheimer’s may begin 20 years before symptoms! Research shows that high blood pressure and lack of physical activity, sleep issues may have a negative impact. The good news is that these are controllable through lifestyle changes that can improve brain health. In fact, that while aging, the leading cause, cannot be changed, brain health should obviously be a consideration for every adult. Exercise, eat a balanced diet, stay mentally active and socialize, and be sure to get good quality sleep.
Indiana statistics for 2025 show that over 121,000 people aged 65 and over are living with Alzheimer’s. 17.8 % of people aged 45 plus have subjective cognitive decline. There are 219,000 family caregivers resulting in 325 million hours of unpaid care given by Alzheimer caregivers. For more stats alz.org/facts.
Taking charge of brain health also means reporting changes in memory or thinking to family and physician. The diagnosis may not be Alzheimer’s or dementia, but if it is, the earlier the more treatable. There are clinical trials and more research is always hopeful and on the horizon. Be aware of changes in mood, challenges in decision-making, planning and accomplishing tasks, changes in judgement. When behavior changes interfere with daily living, it’s time to be checked.
Research offers hope, not only for treatments but also for maintaining quality of living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Residences Senior Living understands the need to keep informed about the best practices and advances for excellence in Memory Care. First and foremost is annual specialized training for every member of our teams—we believe every employee is a caregiver. Whether it is supportive equipment for sensory stimulation found through our Snoezelen therapeutic rooms, physical exercise and movement, secure outdoor experiences, specialized meal accommodations, tactile devices to capture interest and motivate motor skills, simulated home environments, musical singalongs and more, we have learned that there is always something new and something more we could be doing to enhance the lives or our residents and give families peace of mind.
While June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, September is Global World Alzheimer’s Awareness Month; the day will be celebrated on September 21. Begin now to take care of the brain health of yourself and loved ones. Learn all you can about symptoms and work closely with your healthcare provider. Spread the word about the educational offerings Residences at Senior Living provides. Schedule a tour of our Memory Care if you or a family caregiver is experiencing burnout or needs to explore respite care for a loved one. We are here, we are aware of the needs both within and throughout our communities for Alzheimer’s and dementia and overall brain health.
