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Every September, World Alzheimer’s Month brings communities around the world together to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, challenge stigma, and support individuals and families affected by memory loss.
The 2026 World Alzheimer’s Month theme is “The Earlier You Know, The More You Can Do: A Dementia Diagnosis Matters.” The campaign emphasizes the importance of recognizing changes, seeking an appropriate evaluation, and connecting individuals and families with treatment, care, information, and support as early as possible. (Alzheimer's Disease International)
World Alzheimer’s Day is September 21, providing an additional opportunity to recognize the millions of individuals, family caregivers, healthcare professionals, and community organizations impacted by dementia. (Alzheimer's Disease International)
At BrightStar Care of The Monterey Peninsula, World Alzheimer’s Month is especially meaningful because we see firsthand how Alzheimer’s disease and dementia affect not only the individual but the entire family.
Helping Clients Remain Safe and Comfortable at Home
For many people living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, remaining in a familiar home environment can provide an important sense of comfort and routine.
Our caregivers provide personalized in-home support based on each client's abilities, preferences, routines, and changing needs.
Depending on the individual, care may include:
- Assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, and other activities of daily living
- Meal preparation and assistance with eating
- Medication reminders
- Mobility and fall-prevention support
- Transportation and assistance with appointments or errands
- Light housekeeping and assistance maintaining a safe home environment
- Companionship and meaningful conversation
- Engagement in familiar activities, hobbies, music, games, and routines
- Supervision and support for clients who should not be left alone
- Our goal is to provide assistance while continuing to encourage the highest appropriate level of independence, dignity, and quality of life.
Consistency and Familiarity Matter
Changes in routine can sometimes be difficult for a person experiencing memory loss. That is why we work to provide consistent care and carefully match caregivers with clients whenever possible.
Getting to know a client's normal routine is an important part of dementia care.
Something as simple as knowing what time someone normally eats breakfast, the television program they enjoy watching in the afternoon, how they prefer their coffee, or what activities bring them comfort can help make each day feel more familiar.
Over time, caregivers can also become familiar with a client's communication style, preferences, and normal behaviors, helping the care team recognize changes that may need to be shared with the family or healthcare provider.
Supporting Family Caregivers, Too
Alzheimer’s disease affects the entire family.
Spouses, adult children, and other loved ones often become caregivers themselves. They may be balancing caregiving responsibilities with careers, children, appointments, household responsibilities, and their own health and well-being.
Families do not have to manage everything alone.
BrightStar Care can provide respite care, allowing family caregivers to take time away while knowing their loved one has support at home.
Whether a family needs assistance for several hours, regularly scheduled weekly care, or more extensive support as needs increase, our team can work with the family to develop an appropriate care schedule.
Respite care can give family members time to attend appointments, work, spend time with other family members, run errands, or simply recharge.
Care With Professional Oversight
Families caring for someone with dementia often face changing needs over time.
At BrightStar Care of The Monterey Peninsula, our clients benefit from Registered Nurse oversight, adding another level of support to the care provided in the home.
Our team communicates with families and works to identify changes that may affect the care plan. When appropriate, we can also help coordinate with physicians, healthcare providers, case managers, and other members of the client's care team.
As a client's needs change, we can help families understand what additional support may be appropriate.
Recognizing Changes and Seeking Help
Occasional forgetfulness does not necessarily mean someone has Alzheimer’s disease. However, significant or increasing changes in memory, thinking, judgment, communication, or the ability to complete familiar tasks should not simply be ignored.
The message of World Alzheimer’s Month 2026 is an important one: earlier recognition and diagnosis can provide individuals and families with more opportunities to plan, seek treatment when appropriate, access services, and put support systems in place. (Alzheimer's Disease International)
Anyone concerned about memory or cognitive changes in themselves or a loved one should discuss those concerns with a qualified healthcare professional.
You Don’t Have to Navigate Dementia Care Alone
Every person's experience with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia is different, and every family has different needs.
Some families may only need a few hours of assistance each week. Others may need daily care, respite for a family caregiver, personal care assistance, or more extensive supervision and support.
BrightStar Care of The Monterey Peninsula is here to help families throughout Monterey County navigate those needs with compassionate, dependable, and personalized care.
During World Alzheimer’s Month—and throughout the year—we honor those living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, the families who care for them, and the professionals and caregivers who support them every day.
If your family is beginning to explore home care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or memory loss, we would be happy to talk with you about how we can help.
BrightStar Care of The Monterey Peninsula
Serving Monterey, Carmel, Carmel Valley, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Marina, Seaside, Salinas, Soledad, King City, and surrounding communities.
Call us at 831-200-4555 to learn more about Alzheimer’s and dementia home care services.