June 21, 2022
As we work to create light for others, we naturally light our own way.
Mary Anne Radmacher
June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, when those whose lives have been touched by memory-impairing diseases come together and raise awareness through education and support. This month includes June 21st, the summer solstice and the longest day of sunshine and light during the calendar year.
Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia affect over five million individuals in the United States alone. If we continue this current trajectory, this number is expected to triple by the year 2050. The impact of Alzheimer’s on individuals and those who love them is astounding. Memory, personality, problem solving, safety awareness, decision making, relationships – all these things and more are affected through no fault or choice of the individual. For families, this can feel like a loss that never seems to end.
While dementia is incredibly challenging for everyone involved, there are ways that each one of us can bring light to the darkness.
The Longest Day, which is the summer solstice on June 21st, is the day with the most light. This day has been chosen by the Alzheimer’s Association to fight the darkness of Alzheimer’s by shining the light and bringing awareness about Alzheimer’s disease through fundraising.
As a Memory Care Director, The Longest Day is paramount to me because it’s an opportunity to educate others on Alzheimer’s. This has been a dedicated and committed passion and life work for me to serve such a deserving population. The Longest Day means that more people will be educated and overcome any stigmas or fears attached to what may be the unknown. To know that this is one more step to equip others to be fearless and join in the fight to change the lives of all affected by this disease and other dementias, is important to me.
Here at The Parkway Senior Living Blue Springs, MO we are celebrating The Longest Day by hosting a silent auction, with different baskets from various vendors, to raise funds. This will be a community-wide event and all families will be invited to participate. Our Memory Care Neighborhood and others will be wearing purple too!
I encourage families and support teams to assist in the Neighborhood with events. I have a particular family member who takes photos of our events, brings in multiple tomato and pepper plants for our garden, and assists with our outings. I would love to learn a little bit more about each family member’s interests, to see if this can increase their participation in the Neighborhood even more.
Let’s join as communities throughout this month to honor, love, and support not only those living with dementia, but their families as well. If your life is personally touched by this disease, we are here for you.
The Parkway Senior Living in Blue Springs, MO offers senior villas, independent senior apartments, assisted living, and memory care with a variety of services and a range of floor plan options. Amenities include restaurant dining, 24-hour bistro, concierge service, housekeeping, events and entertainment, personal care, transportation services, and more. Centrally located near St. Mary’s Medical Center and St. Luke’s Eastwith convenient access to major shopping centers and attractions, including Adams Point Golf Course, KC Royals Stadum, KC Chiefs Stadium, Sporting KC, KC Comets, KC Mavericks, Adams Dairy Landing, and Blue Springs Parks, Trails, and Lakes .