When can we stop working to raise dementia awareness?

​Until people understand that Alzheimer's and related forms of dementia are not just about grandma forgetting things more often than she used to...

Until people understand that early-onset Alzheimer's affects millions of people under age 60 (often in their 40s and 50s)...

Until people understand that dementia causes death of successive parts of the brain, affecting the ability to walk, speak, swallow, and eventually causing physical death....

Until people understand that Alzheimer's is the only leading cause of death with no cure, no scientifically proven method of prevention, and no treatment that is universally effective...

Until people understand that millions of their friends and family members are forced to quit working to care for a loved one, putting their own future at great financial risk...

Until people understand that a lack of societal and governmental support means that many who have dementia are forced to fight tooth and nail to be able to live well despite the disease and that far too many people lose that fight...

Until these things change, Alzheimer's and other related forms of dementia will remain misunderstood and underfunded. It's up to us to raise dementia awareness.