DES MOINES, IOWA (June 3, 2025) — This June during Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, the Alzheimer’s Association is encouraging all Americans to take charge of their brain health.
Today, there are more than 7 million people age 65 and older in the United States living with Alzheimer’s, including over 62,000 in Iowa and over 250,000 in Illinois. Two-thirds of Americans have at least one major potential risk factor for dementia. The brain changes that cause Alzheimer’s are thought to begin twenty years or more before symptoms start, which suggests that there may be a substantial window of time in which to intervene in the progression of the disease.
Experts believe there isn’t a single cause of Alzheimer’s. It’s likely the disease develops as a result of multiple factors.
While not a direct cause of Alzheimer’s, the greatest known risk factor is advancing age. Although some risk factors like age can’t be changed, as many as 45% of dementia cases may be attributable to modifiable risk factors, such as high blood pressure and lack of physical activity. Research shows that adopting healthy behaviors — like getting exercise and good quality sleep — can improve your brain health and reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
During June, the Alzheimer’s Association is offering five suggestions to take charge of your brain health and support the cause:
- Incorporate healthy habits that may reduce the risk of cognitive decline: Based on mounting scientific evidence, the Alzheimer’s Association encourages individuals to incorporate these ten Healthy Habits — such as challenging your mind and eating healthier foods — to help protect brain health. Whatever your age or stage of life, now is the time to take charge of your brain health.
- Learn the early warning signs of Alzheimer’s and other dementia: Many people equate Alzheimer’s to memory loss, and while that is one of the most common signs, there are others that can signal cognitive decline, including altered judgment, mood changes, challenges in decision-making, and planning and carrying out projects. Some memory changes can be a normal part of the aging process, but when changes start to interfere with daily living or stray drastically from the person’s normal behavior, it’s best to get it checked. The Alzheimer’s Association offers these ten Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer’s to help people identify potential warning signs of Alzheimer’s or other dementia.
- Be proactive in addressing memory and thinking problems: Studies show many individuals experiencing memory and thinking problems often put off discussing them with a doctor.
However, early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and other dementia offers the best opportunity for care, management, and treatment. It also provides diagnosed individuals more time to plan for the future, participate in clinical trials, and to live with a higher quality of life for as long as possible. In addition, there are now treatments that can slow disease progression for people in the early stage of Alzheimer's, making a timely diagnosis critically important. If you or a family is experiencing memory or thinking problems, it is important to get it checked. The Alzheimer’s Association offers tips and resources to help families navigate these conversations.
- Help accelerate disease-related research: Clinical trials hold the key to new and better Alzheimer's disease treatments. Individuals living with Alzheimer's and other dementias, caregivers, and healthy volunteers are needed to participate in clinical trials that help advance Alzheimer's research. Today, more than 50,000 participants are needed in current Alzheimer’s clinical trials examining potential new treatments — with hundreds of thousands more needed in broader dementia-research studies. Alzheimer’s Association TrialMatch® is a free, easy-to-use service that connects interested individuals with appropriate trials.
- Volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association: As an Alzheimer’s Association volunteer, you can help those in your community take steps to reduce their dementia risk and recognize the signs of Alzheimer’s. Our education and support programs are flexible and easy to learn, giving you the opportunity to become a leader in the effort to end Alzheimer’s.
About Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month
Established by the Alzheimer’s Association in 2014, Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month is dedicated to encouraging a global conversation about the brain and Alzheimer’s and other dementia. To learn more about the Alzheimer’s Association, available resources, and how you can get involved to support the cause, visit alz.org/abam.
About the Alzheimer’s Association
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support, and research. Our mission is 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. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. Visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.
