The occurrence of dementia goes back to before it even had a name. Ancient Egyptians, in 2000 B.C., knew that memory declines as people grow old. In the second century A.D., Turkish doctor Aretheus described dementia by putting it in the same group as delirium.
President Ronald Regan initiated the observance of Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month in 1983 to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s and the types of care required by someone suffering from it.
Alzheimer’s is the only leading cause of death that cannot currently be prevented, cured or even slowed. More than six million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s. For those suffering from Alzheimer’s, memory loss disrupts daily life. Forgetting events, repeating yourself or relying on more aids to help you remember are common with the disease.
Some symptoms can be:
- Challenges in planning or solving problems.
- Having increased difficulty remembering to pay bills or cooking recipes you have used for years.
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure.
- Having problems with driving to familiar places.
- Confusion with time or place.
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World Refugee Day
World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honor refugees around the globe. It falls each year on June 20 and celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution.
World Refugee Day was held globally for the first time on June 20, 2001, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1951 convention relating to the status of refugees. While it is important to protect and improve the lives of refugees, international awareness events like World Refugee Day help focus global attention on the plight of those fleeing conflict or persecution.
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Upcoming Topics:
July – Muharram Islamic New Year and Pioneer Day
August – Krishna Janmashtami and Marcus Garvey Day