Alzheimer’s Association gears up for big June to help raise awareness in Capital Region

June is “Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month.”

The local Alzheimer’s Association’s mission of educating and raising awareness of the importance of early detection is a yearlong effort, but during the month of June, the association really kicks it up a notch with a handful of community events.

“Age is the number one risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease,” Beth Smith-Boivin, Executive Director of the Northeastern Alzheimer’s Association explained. “If it hasn’t hit you yet, the odds are it will.”

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. With six million Americans living with the disease, this year, Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia will cost the nation $345 billion. That amount will increase to $1 trillion by 2050. That’s why the association needs our help.

“NewsChannel 13 has been fantastic at helping raise awareness in the community, but it is awareness, it is understanding that when you know those 10 warning signs, you get to the doctor, you have the ability to access treatments that were not available as few as four years ago” said Smith-Boivin. “So that’s really where we need the help. We need the help in getting people to understand how critical early diagnosis is.”

The association will host a mini-Caregivers Conference in Albany on June 7. It’ll be a day filled with education and exhibits.

For more information on how you can help raise awareness this month, visit, The Northeastern Alzheimer’s Association’s Website.