Alzheimer’s Awareness Month 2026: Dates & Facts

There’s no singular Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, but rather a collection of observances across June, September and November aimed at highlighting the frequency and severity of Alzheimer’s disease, supporting current patients, promoting cognitive health and fundraising for Alzheimer’s research. Health insurance covers most medical treatment costs for Alzheimer’s patients, but you may need Medicaid or other specialized coverage to help pay for long-term care.

Alzheimer’s Awareness Month refers to multiple distinct celebrations focused on informing people about Alzheimer’s disease risk factors and supporting patients and caregivers alike.

Keep reading to learn more about National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month celebrations, why they’re important and what insurance options are available for people with dementia.

Key Takeaways

Depending on the organization, Alzheimer’s Awareness Month may be recognized in June, September or November.
More than 7 million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer’s disease.
It can cost upwards of $400,000 across a person’s life to cover Alzheimer’s-related care — and many families cover the majority of these costs out of pocket.
Medicare and other health plans generally cover hospital stays, prescription drugs, mental health care and similar treatments for Alzheimer’s patients.
Most health insurance plans don’t cover long-term care, so you may need Medicaid or standalone long-term care insurance.

When Is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month?

Distinct annual Alzheimer’s Awareness Month campaigns occur across June, September and November.^[1][2][3] While each month serves a similar purpose, separate organizations within the Alzheimer’s movement may promote and celebrate these months in different ways.

Alzheimer’s Awareness Months and Important Dates

Here’s a breakdown of the monthlong Alzheimer’s awareness observances that occur each year:^[1][2][3]

Observance	Month	Description
Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month	June	Emphasizes brain health education to promote lifestyle choices that can lower the odds of people developing Alzheimer’s or other brain diseases
World Alzheimer’s Month	September	Connects Alzheimer’s patients, caregivers, medical professionals, researchers and others around the world to raise awareness, culminating with World Alzheimer’s Day on Sept. 21
National Alzheimer’s Disease Month	November	Raises awareness about Alzheimer’s disease, how it has impacted Americans and what institutions are taking steps to fund research and otherwise help people with Alzheimer’s

What Is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month?

Though it can take various forms, Alzheimer’s Awareness Month generally refers to a collection of promotional campaigns used to highlight the impacts of Alzheimer’s disease on both patients and their loved ones. Throughout each month, people are encouraged to look for opportunities to support those living with Alzheimer’s, learn more about the disease and take steps to improve and maintain their own cognitive health.^[1]

Why Alzheimer’s Awareness Matters

Raising awareness about Alzheimer’s disease is important because of how prevalent and serious the condition is. It’s estimated that more than 7 million Americans age 65 and older have Alzheimer’s — and that number is projected to nearly double by 2060.^[4] In addition, two-thirds of the people in the United States possess at least one possible risk factor for dementia.^[5]

As of now, there’s no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease.^[6] And while healthy lifestyle habits may help minimize your risk of developing Alzheimer’s, there’s currently no definitive way to prevent it.^[7] As a result, every American needs to look into screening options for early detection and know what to expect from Alzheimer’s dementia and how to support those living with the condition.

Alzheimer’s Awareness Month Facts and Statistics

The first Alzheimer’s Awareness Month celebration was formally recognized by the United States government in 1985. Congress issued a resolution designating November 1985 as National Alzheimer’s Disease Month, and President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation affirming the commemoration. In his proclamation, Reagan noted that half of all American nursing home residents at the time had some form of dementia.^[3]

Read below for an overview of crucial Alzheimer’s facts and statistics you need to know this Alzheimer’s Awareness Month:^[8]

Alzheimer’s accounts for 60% to 80% of dementia diagnoses, making it the most common type of dementia by far.
Most dementia patients experience mixed pathology, meaning they show signs of multiple types of dementia at the same time.
Brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s may develop more than 20 years before the onset of symptoms.
Along with causing memory loss, confusion and difficulty in conversation, Alzheimer’s dementia can disrupt your mood, behavior and overall personality.
Patients with stage 6 Alzheimer’s may be completely reliant on others to help them with daily living activities, such as eating, getting dressed and going to the bathroom.
Common Alzheimer’s risk factors include age, genetics and subpar health habits, such as tobacco use, poor diet, lack of exercise or inadequate sleep.

Alzheimer’s Care Costs and Insurance Coverage

Individuals with Alzheimer’s may encounter a wide array of care-related expenses, including outpatient medical treatments, medications, home modifications and in-home or residential services.^[9] In total, the lifetime cost of Alzheimer’s care averages over $400,000 — nearly $300,000 of which is paid out of pocket or covered indirectly through unpaid caregiving.^[8] While Alzheimer’s care is expensive, certain types of insurance may help ease the financial burden.

Does Insurance Cover Alzheimer’s Treatment and Care?

Both Medicare and private health insurance cover many costs associated with Alzheimer’s treatments, including inpatient care, therapy and prescription drugs. However, these plans don’t cover unskilled support with daily living activities and only cover skilled long-term care services for a limited amount of time.^[10] Long-term care insurance provides broader coverage for nonmedical Alzheimer’s care, but you may not qualify if you already need long-term care.^[11]

Medicaid offers the most comprehensive coverage for both medical and long-term care for Alzheimer’s patients, but you can’t qualify unless you have a low income or meet other eligibility requirements.^[10]

Coverage Type	What It Covers	Limitations
Medicare	Medically necessary treatments or medicines and skilled nursing or rehabilitative care for up to 100 days	Doesn’t cover assistance with activities of daily living or any long-term care services lasting more than 100 days
Medicaid	Medically necessary treatments or medicines and most long-term services and supports	You aren’t eligible unless you have little income and resources or meet other eligibility requirements established by your state
Marketplace and work-based health insurance	Generally the same as Medicare, but specifics may vary by plan	Generally the same as Medicare, but specifics may vary by plan
Long-term care insurance	Most qualifying long-term care services received in your home or in an assisted living facility or nursing home	You may only be eligible if you shop before contracting Alzheimer’s or another preexisting condition

What You Can Do To Help Someone With Alzheimer’s

Caretakers for people with Alzheimer’s should take steps like these to help manage their loved ones’ behavioral changes and improve their overall quality of life:^[12]

Refrain from arguing, and avoid showing frustration
Remind them that you’re there to help them
Actively communicate with them, and be patient as they deal with the cognitive decline that may make communicating difficult for them
Distract them from their frustrations by playing music for them, going on a walk with them or encouraging them to read
Make their home environment more comfortable by limiting loud noises, cleaning up clutter and making sure pictures or other prized possessions are easily accessible around the house
Maintain their routine by helping them bathe, get dressed and eat at the same time every day
Help them exercise, since physical activity may improve their mood and sleep

Resources for Alzheimer’s Patients and Caregivers

As the condition of your loved one worsens, you may need to invest in professional long-term care, such as home health care, residential care or hospice care. Be sure to look into local faith-based organizations, national nonprofits or government-funded programs that operate in your community and may be able to provide or help you pay for Alzheimer’s care.^[13]

While patients with Alzheimer’s naturally need special attention and care, resources are also available for the caregivers who sacrifice to help their loved ones living with Alzheimer’s. If you take care of a friend or family member with dementia, you can visit Alzheimers.gov to see a list of public organizations that offer resources for Alzheimer’s caregivers — including the VA Caregiver Support Program for those who look after aging veterans.^[14]

Alzheimer’s Awareness Month at a Glance

Alzheimer’s Awareness Month technically refers to three separate commemorations: Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month in June, World Alzheimer’s Month in September and National Alzheimer’s Disease Month in November.
Throughout these months, various organizations promote education about Alzheimer’s risk factors, lifestyle habits that can contribute to improved brain health, fundraising for Alzheimer’s research and support for existing Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers.
It’s important to promote awareness about Alzheimer’s because the disease cannot yet be cured, there’s no surefire way to prevent it and over 7 million elderly Americans already have it.
The total lifetime cost to take care of someone with Alzheimer’s exceeds $400,000 on average. For the average Alzheimer’s patient, the family pays around 70% of these costs out of pocket.
While Medicare, Marketplace coverage and employer-sponsored group health insurance cover medical costs for people with Alzheimer’s, they exclude coverage for most long-term care services. Conversely, Medicaid provides broad coverage for both medical treatments and long-term supports and services.
If you have a family history of Alzheimer’s or other dementias, you may want to go ahead and invest in long-term care insurance. This policy can cover most long-term care expenses, but you may not qualify if you’re already in need of long-term care.

How To Celebrate and Support Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

See below for examples of how to celebrate Alzheimer’s Awareness Month:^[15]

Participate in Alzheimer’s disease awareness events and fundraisers in your area
Volunteer to teach people in your community about risk reduction techniques and how they can recognize the symptoms of Alzheimer’s
Contact your representative to encourage Congress to invest in dementia research and health care infrastructure
Donate to Alzheimer’s research or support programs and organizations raising awareness about the mission to end Alzheimer’s in the future
Post about the fight against Alzheimer’s on social media

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Frequently Asked Questions

How common is Alzheimer’s disease?

An estimated 7.2 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease — accounting for about 2% of the population of the United States.^[4]

Is Alzheimer’s disease covered by insurance?

While private health insurance can cover hospital stays, medicines and mental health services related to Alzheimer’s, it generally won’t cover permanent long-term care services.^[10] That said, some health insurers offer critical illness insurance, which pays out a one-time, lump-sum payment if you’re diagnosed with a serious disease, such as Alzheimer’s.^[16]

What benefits can you claim if you have Alzheimer’s?

If you have Alzheimer’s disease, you may be able to sign up for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and/or Medicare — even if you’re under the age of 65.^[17][18]

What’s the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia?

Dementia broadly refers to any condition that affects an individual’s memory, attention span and thinking skills, while Alzheimer’s disease is a specific type of dementia that first affects the parts of the brain that deal with learning and progressively leads to confusion, behavioral changes and other types of mental deterioration.^[19]

What flower represents Alzheimer’s?

Some organizations use a blue flower known as a forget-me-not as a symbol for Alzheimer’s awareness.^[20]

What color represents Alzheimer’s awareness?

Different colors — such as purple, blue or teal — may be used to represent Alzheimer’s disease awareness, depending on the organization promoting it.^[15][20][21]

Is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month in June, September or November?

Distinct Alzheimer’s awareness observances occur in June, September and November. Specifically, Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month is in June, World Alzheimer’s Month is in September and National Alzheimer’s Disease Month is in November.^[1][2][3]

Sources

The George Washington University. “Alzheimer’s Awareness Month | Milken Institute School of Public Health.” Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Alzheimer’s Disease International. “Frequently Asked Questions.” Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum. “Proclamation 5405 -- National Alzheimer’s Disease Month, 1985.” Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
PubMed Central. “2025 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures.” Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Alzheimer’s Association. “BOLD Public Health Center of Dementia Risk Reduction.” Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Cleveland Clinic. “Alzheimer’s Disease: Symptoms & Treatment.” Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Mayo Clinic. “Alzheimer’s Prevention: Does It Exist?” Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Alzheimer’s Association. “2026 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures,” Pages 7-9, 11, 17 and 52. Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Alzheimer’s Association. “Planning for Care Costs.” Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Administration for Community Living. “Who Pays for Long-Term Care?” Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Administration for Community Living. “Buying Long-Term Care Insurance.” Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
National Institute on Aging. “Alzheimer’s Caregiving: Managing Personality and Behavior Changes.” Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Alzheimers.gov. “Finding Dementia Care and Local Services.” Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Alzheimers.gov. “Resources for Caregivers of People With Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias.” Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Alzheimer’s Association. “Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month.” Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
MetLife. “What Is Critical Illness Insurance?” Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Alzheimer’s Association. “Social Security Disability.” Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Wellcare. “Does Medicare Cover Alzheimer’s Care?” Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Mayo Clinic. “Alzheimer’s and Dementia: What’s the Difference?” Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Alzheimer’s Society. “What Does Our Blue Flower Badge Represent?” Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.
Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. “Alzheimer’s Awareness Month.” Accessed Oct. 19, 2026.

Alzheimer’s Awareness Month 2026: Dates, Facts, Ways To Help and Insurance Coverage

Dylan Tate

Richard Murphy

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