November is National Alzheimers Awareness Month

Going back to 1983, Ronald Reagan designated the month of November as a month to recognize this disease that impact millions of people across the world.

Alzheimer’s Disease

For Midlife motorcycle enthusiasts, we all can relate to the impact that this disease has on our lives. Either knowing someone who had Alzheimer’s or currently has it.  There is no cure.

We all think about our mortality .  Our short time on this earth which may at some point be altered by the tell tale signs of Alzheimer’s which eventually robs people of their independence, quality of life, and even identity.

  1.  Memory loss
  2.  Mood changes
  3.  Problems solving problems
  4.  Disorientation/confusion related to time/place

As we age, there are “normal” signs of aging that impact our thinking.  They should not be sources of concern.

  1. slower response time
  2. difficulty with retaining new information
  3. increased difficulty with abstract reasoning
  4. dividing attention

In another post, I discussed the role that brain and physical health play in your continued riding.

There are also screening tools you can use to check your memory, like this one from the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

Want know what you can do to support?    Check out the site

https://www.alz.org/

You can find more information on the disease, find support groups , participate in organized walks to raise awareness, and even donate to help the cause.

Alzheimer’s is one of the single biggest issues our PLANET faces.   We are all aging and the numbers of people hit with this disease keeps growing.

Value the time you have on this earth and don’t sit passively on the sidelines.   Keep active, be informed, and show your support.

Maybe even consider painting your motorcycle purple for a ride, like this one in Minnesota or this one in Indiana .

Keep active, keep thinking, and keep riding safe.