Every November since 1983, people have come together to raise awareness for Alzheimer’s. Outside the Hub on ULM’s campus, the Kappa Theta Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority hosted a booth to highlight the symptoms and effects of Alzheimer’s.
As explained by the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 60-70% of dementia cases. It is a progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, affecting the simplest tasks in everyday life.
To increase awareness of the disease’s impact, students played an organized memory game to vividly demonstrate the difficulties faced by those living with the disease. Participants briefly observed the template of colors and objects then attempted to recall them. Senior kinesiology major Lexlee Turner said she hopes the memory game will help students recognize the subtle challenges faced by people with Alzheimer’s.
“We wanted to spread awareness because there are a lot of symptoms that go unnoticed or symptoms that students are not aware of,” Turner said. “The memory game is for students to be aware of those symptoms.”
Outside of fighting against Alzheimer’s by hosting a booth, the Theta Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho hosts events at the Garden of Somerset retirement home. These events are intended to support the residents of the home, especially those suffering from Alzheimer’s.
“Community service is very important,” Harper said. “We try to assist at Gardens of Somerset at least three times a year to offer our services and help those in need.”
For information on current or upcoming community events, Harper said to contact out on Instagram or Facebook at “kappathetapoodles.”
