This year, the month of June has been designated as Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month. When people think of being healthy, they often focus on their external physical health. However, officials with the Alzheimer’s Association want to remind everyone that mental health is just as important. Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month aims to raise awareness about various brain diseases, educate communities about their effects, and provide support to individuals and families struggling with this condition.
Brain disorders come in several forms. Dementia is the general term used to describe a decline in mental ability that is severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, seven million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s. Additionally, Alzheimer’s is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.
The most common early symptom of Alzheimer’s is difficulty remembering newly learned information. This is because Alzheimer’s changes typically begin in the part of the brain that affects learning. As Alzheimer’s advances through the brain, it leads to increasingly severe symptoms, including disorientation, mood, and behavior changes; deepening confusion about events, time, and place; unfounded suspicions about family, friends, and professional caregivers; and difficulty speaking, swallowing, and walking. Just like the rest of our bodies, our brains change as we age. Most of us eventually notice some slow thinking and occasional problems with remembering things. However, serious memory loss, confusion, and other major changes in the way our minds work may be a sign that brain cells are failing.
People with memory loss or other signs of Alzheimer’s may find it hard to recognize they have a problem. Signs of dementia may be more obvious to family members or friends. If you have noticed these symptoms in your loved ones, help is available. The Alzheimer’s Association is a great source of information and has many tools to help. They also have a 24-hour helpline that can be used to access reliable information and support. Their phone number is: 1-800-272-3900.
If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this week’s article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. Please always feel free to contact my office if you have any questions or issues regarding a Texas state agency, or if you would like to contact my office regarding constituent services. As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns, or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).
– State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32
Rep. Hunter represents Aransas County and Nueces (Part) County. He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.texas.gov or 512-463-0672.
