office of communications

Alzheimer’s Awareness

Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other cognitive problems that are serious enough to interfere with daily life.

Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of growing older. It is often mistaken and left undiagnosed because of misconceptions around significant memory loss as a normal sign of aging. Alzheimer’s is a chronic disease, and the greatest known risk factor for Alzheimer’s is aging. The majority of people with Alzheimer’s are 65 and older. It is more likely to affect women and communities of color.

Alzheimer’s ranks as the third leading cause of death in California, affecting 690,000 individuals across the state. Already boasting the nation’s largest senior population, California is expecting the number of residents living with Alzheimer’s to double by 2040. Currently there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, but treatments for symptoms are available and research continues. 

Use the below tools to help empower individuals and their families to recognize the signs and symptoms, foster open conversations with family and healthcare providers, and understand ways to promote overall brain health.

Additional resources:

CDPH Take on Alzheimer’s campaign page
Take on Alzheimer’s Media & Outreach Resources
CDPH Alzheimer’s Disease information page

CDPH Material Co-brand Disclaimer
Local health jurisdictions (LHJs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) may co-brand materials created by CDPH (those in CDPH Office of Communications Toolkits) by adding their agency logo next to or near the CDPH logo. Be sure there is ample space between the two logos. Materials may not be altered or edited in any other way, including removal or adjustment of the CDPH logo.

Video

Video: This is What it Take to Take on Alzheimer’s (:30) YouTube)

Suggested message: This is what it takes to #TakeOnAlz. As our population ages, Alzheimer’s disease becomes more prevalent. Take control by reducing risks, recognizing early signs and prioritizing screening. Early detection gives you more time for informed decisions. Together, let’s raise awareness and support for Alzheimer’s awareness. Learn more about signs and screening at TakeOnAlz.com.

Share the video: on YouTube; on Facebook; on Instagram; on X.

To use these images, click on each one to enlarge the image, then right click and “save as.”

Fact Sheet

Taking on Alzheimer’s — What you Need to Know

8.5x11 (PDF) | 8.5x11 Greyscale (PDF)

Social Media: Take on Alzheimer’s Campaign

Suggested messaging: Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behavior. It is the most common form of dementia and is more likely to affect women and communities of color. Among California’s baby boomers 65 and older, one in six people will develop AD. One in five will develop dementia. Let’s learn, share and #TakeOnAlz together. Visit TakeOnAlz.com.

Alzheimer's diseas is the third leading cause of death in California

Suggested messaging: Most Californians can now get initial dementia screenings from their primary care provider. Early detection and diagnosis may give you more time to plan, which can improve your quality of life and contribute to a more positive health outcome. Take the first step by talking to your doctor about screening. Let’s #TakeOnALZ together. Visit takeonalz.com for more information.

Suggested messaging: It’s time to Take On Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the third leading cause of death in California, and the number of residents living with Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) is expected to double from 2019 to 2040.

It’s important that all Californians know how to: ️

recognize the signs and symptoms of AD for themselves and others,
talk with family or a health care provider about them,
and understand ways to improve brain health.

Let’s learn, share and #TakeOnALZ together. Learn more at: takeonalz.com

Animation: Preserve and Protect Your Brain (:23)
Suggested messaging: A combination of social activities and healthy habits, when done together, can help improve brain health, which reduces your risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Let’s learn, share and #TakeOnALZ together. Visit TakeOnAlz.com for more information.
Share the animation on Facebook; on X.

Social Media: General Alzheimer’s Messaging

	Suggested Messaging: Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that causes memory, thinking and behavior problems and interferes with daily tasks. The chance of developing dementia increases with age. People can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias by making lifestyle choices to stay sharp at any age. Learn more about healthy habits to boost your brain: takeonalz.com #ENDALZ X: Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia that causes memory, thinking and behavior problems and interferes with daily tasks. People can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias by making lifestyle choices to stay sharp at any age. Learn more at: takeonalz.com #ENDALZ
	Suggested Messaging: Did you know completing a crossword puzzle, reading a book or doing something artistic can help boost your brain and prevent Alzheimer’s disease? For more tips on 10 Ways to Love Your Brain, please visit: https://www.alz.org/help-support/brain_health/10_ways_to_love_your_brain #ENDALZ
	Suggested Messaging: Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging. Someone with Alzheimer’s disease may show signs of: Memory loss that disrupts daily life, such as getting lost in a familiar place or repeating questions. Difficulty completing familiar tasks. Confusion with time or place. Change in mood, personality or behavior. If you or a loved one shows signs listed above, consult your health care provider. For more information on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, visit https://www.cdc.gov/aging/healthybrain/ten-warning-signs.html #ENDALZ X: Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging. For more information on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, visit https://www.cdc.gov/aging/healthybrain/ten-warning-signs.html #ENDALZ
	Suggested Messaging: Caring for your loved ones with Alzheimer’s also means caring for yourself. Boost your energy, heart and brain through social engagement and movement. For more caregiver resources and support, go to: https://www.aging.ca.gov/covid19/Family-and-Friends-Caregiver-Resources/ #ENDALZ

Spanish Social Media

To use these images, click on each one to enlarge the image, then right click and "save as."

	Suggested Messaging: La detección temprana de la enfermedad de Alzheimer brinda la oportunidad de planificar tu futuro y puede generar resultados de salud más positivos. ¡Únete a la conversación, crea conciencia y #EnfrentaElAlzheimer! Obtenga más información en takeonalz.com/es
	Suggested Messaging: Es hora de enfrentar el Alzheimer. La enfermedad de Alzheimer es la tercera causa principal de muerte en California, y se espera que el número de personas que viven con Alzheimer y demencias relacionadas se duplique del 2019 al 2040. Es importante que todos los californianos sepan cómo reconocer los signos y síntomas de Alzheimer, hablar con familiares o un proveedor de atención médica y comprender formas de mejorar la salud cerebral. Aprendamos, compartamos y #EnfrentaElAlzheimer! Obtenga más información en takeonalz.com/es
	Suggested Messaging: La enfermedad de Alzheimer es un tipo de demencia que causa problemas de memoria, razonamiento y comportamiento e interfiere en las actividades cotidianas. Las probabilidades de desarrollar demencia aumentan con la edad. Las personas pueden reducir el riesgo de desarrollar Alzheimer y demencias relacionadas adoptando hábitos que las ayuden a mantenerse mentalmente alertas a cualquier edad. Obtén más información sobre los hábitos saludables para estimular tu cerebro: https://publichealth.sccgov.org/health-information/healthy-aging/healthy-habits-healthy-brain #NoMásALZ X: La enfermedad de Alzheimer es un tipo de demencia que causa problemas de memoria, razonamiento y comportamiento e interfiere en las actividades cotidianas. Las personas pueden reducir el riesgo de desarrollar esta enfermedad creando hábitos para mantenerse mentalmente alertas a cualquier edad. Obtén más información en: https://publichealth.sccgov.org/health-information/healthy-aging/healthy-habits-healthy-brain
	Suggested Messaging: ¿Sabías que completar un crucigrama, leer un libro o hacer algo artístico puede ayudar a estimular tu cerebro y prevenir la enfermedad de Alzheimer? Para obtener más consejos sobre 10 maneras de amar a tu cerebro, visita: https://www.alz.org/help-support/brain_health/10_ways_to_love_your_brain #NoMásALZ
	Suggested Messaging: La enfermedad de Alzheimer es la forma más común de demencia y causa problemas con la memoria, el razonamiento y el comportamiento. La enfermedad de Alzheimer no es una parte normal del envejecimiento. Una persona con esta enfermedad puede mostrar signos de: Pérdida de memoria que interrumpe la vida cotidiana, como perderse en un lugar familiar o repetir preguntas. Dificultad para completar tareas habituales. Confusión con el tiempo o el lugar. Cambio en el estado de ánimo, la personalidad o el comportamiento. Si tú o un ser querido muestra los signos mencionados, consulta con tu proveedor de atención médica. Para obtener más información sobre la enfermedad de Alzheimer y la demencia, visita: https://www.cdc.gov/aging/healthybrain/ten-warning-signs.html #NoMásALZ X: La enfermedad de Alzheimer es la forma más común de demencia y causa problemas con la memoria, el razonamiento y el comportamiento. Esta enfermedad no es una parte normal del envejecimiento. Para obtener más información sobre la enfermedad de Alzheimer y la demencia, consulta: https://www.cdc.gov/aging/healthybrain/ten-warning-signs.html #NoMásALZ
	Suggested Messaging: Cuidar a tus seres queridos que tienen Alzheimer también significa cuidarte a ti mismo. Mejora tu energía, corazón y cerebro a través de actividades sociales y movimiento. Para obtener más recursos y apoyo para cuidadores, visita: : https://www.aging.ca.gov/covid19/Family-and-Friends-Caregiver-Resources/ #NoMásALZ