Purple has always been my favorite color.  Don’t know why, maybe I am a long, lost descendant of royalty (doubtful, although I am often referred to as a “royal pain in the $%#”).  As a kid I loved Grape Ape and grape Kool-aid.

Now, however, purple has a more important, sobering meaning in its representation of the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.  Today, being World Alzheimer’s Day is a great day to show your support for the families that deal with the ravages of this disease, the caregivers that give their last ounce of energy, day-in, day-out caring for the victims of the disease and the scientist racing to find a cure or at least new ways to delay the onset or cope better with the symptoms.

How can you show your support today AND going forward, as the reach of Alzheimer’s spreads, touching more people that you know and love?  Here are five easy ways:

 - Educate yourself on the disease

- Help a caregiver

- Volunteer

- Spread the word!

- Donate or raise money

(Thanks to Rita Altman, R.N., Vice President, Memory Care and Programming for Sunrise Senior Living for this list)

Unfortunately, while I was writing this, there were many new cases of Alzheimer’s diagnosed.  While very few of us can directly find a cure or method to better cope, we can support the victims, families and caregivers.  Take action today!  It can be as simple as spreading the word through social media, signing up for a fundraiser or taking dinner to a caregiver.

Thanks!  Doug