📰 This Week in Dementia News 📰

Video Roundup — Short Videos (<4minutes) of Best Care Practices:

• There’s Always a Reason for a Behavior (Barbara Kostiw): a quick video from one of my new favorite resources, Barbara Kostiw on YouTube.¹ Browse around her channel for lots of fantastic information.

• Communicating with People with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (Abe’s Garden Community): points about communication that we all need to be reminded of from time to time. Nicely presented, and excellent advice.

• Caregiver Training: Repetitive Questions (UCLA Health): I’ve heard it from so many people, and experienced it myself — we can logically understand why the repetitive questions happen, but it wears us down like the chirp of a smoke detector with a low battery. Here are some solid tips.

• 5 Critical Skills for Working in Alzheimer’s Care (Comfort Care Homes): 5 fantastic tips in 25 seconds.

Hope and Help:

• Hope Was the Word at a Powerfully Purple Luncheon (Classic Chicago Magazine): an exciting report from this annual Alzheimer’s Association event: positive clinical trials, medical updates, caregiver stories, and more.

• Practical Tools and Heartfelt Hope: How Nancy Y Treaster is Empowering Dementia Caregivers Worldwide (Thrive Global): an interview with Nancy Treaster who provides excellent care tips that cover a broad range of situations faced in dementia care from what to expect, to the timing of the disease, the role of hospice, and financial questions.

• Expert Tips to Embrace Caregiving with Confidence and Overcome Self-Doubt (Brain & Life): Not everyone feels ready to look after a loved one. Learn how to embrace the role.

Research that Matters:

• Scientists Just Discovered A Surprising New Risk Factor For Dementia—And It Has Nothing To Do With Genetics (Womens’ Health): is your zip code putting you at risk?

• FDA-approved sleeping pill offers new hope in the fight against Alzheimer's disease (The Brighter Side): A recent study reveals that a common sleeping pill may reduce harmful Alzheimer’s proteins, offering hope for prevention strategies.

• FDA Grants Fast Track Designation to Investigational Tau-Targeting Therapy for Alzheimer Disease (Pharmacy Times): a promising new medication is granted a fast track designation.

Purple Power: the Inspiring History Behind the Choice of Purple for Dementia Awareness

We see the purple ribbons all of the time for Alzheimer’s awareness, but “why, purple”? The answer branches across several disciplines, from color theory to history and even politics.

Purple has become the internationally recognized symbol for Alzheimer's disease awareness, but do you know the special reasons why this color was chosen and how it informs the fight against dementia?

Purples of the Past

The Alzheimer's Association officially adopted purple in the late 1990s as part of their branding and awareness campaigns. Since then, the color has gained worldwide recognition through events like:

• The Longest Day (held on the summer solstice)

• Walk to End Alzheimer's fundraising events

• Wear Purple Day during Alzheimer's Awareness Month

But why did they pick this particular color?

Historically and around the world, the color purple has been associated with rarity, royalty, dignity, enlightenment, and wisdom. A big reason for that is because purple dye was incredibly costly and difficult to make in the past.

The Color Theory Behind the Symbol

Purple was specifically chosen to represent Alzheimer's awareness because it combines blue and red – two colors with special significance:

• Blue symbolizes stability, trust, and calmness – qualities caregivers strive to provide

• Red represents passion, love, and energy – reflecting the determination to find a cure

When these colors blend, they create purple – a perfect representation of the balance caregivers must find between compassionate care and fierce advocacy.

Wait, Politics Too?

The Alzheimer’s Associate has also made a point lately that purple is an important color because of politics: it represents being apolitical.

By combining red and blue — the colors of the major US political parties — they make the statement that ending Alzheimer’s is something that “both sides can agree on.” It is viewed as an explicitly apolitical color that welcomes people of all creeds to this fight we share.

The Emotional Impact of Purple

For many families affected by Alzheimer's, purple has become more than just a color – it's a symbol of solidarity and understanding. When someone wears purple, it can:

• Signal to others that they're not alone in their caregiving journey

• Create opportunities for conversations about dementia

• Honor the memory of loved ones lost to the disease

• Represent hope for better treatments and eventually a cure

Beyond the Color: What Really Matters

While purple is an important symbol, what truly matters is the community of support behind it. The color reminds us that:

• Research funding is crucial for finding better treatments

• Caregiver support must be prioritized

• Early diagnosis and intervention make a difference

• Reducing stigma around dementia helps families seek help sooner

When you see purple, remember it represents millions of people united in their determination to create a world without Alzheimer's disease. By understanding and sharing the meaning behind this powerful color, you're helping to build awareness one conversation at a time.

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