A Day to Understand Alzheimer's
A family sits around a table, sorting photographs into an album. An older adult chooses a picture of a garden and points out the bright flowers. The family listens as they talk about it. Sharing an activity like this can be a pleasant way for family members to spend time together, including when someone has Alzheimer's disease.
Each year, World Alzheimer's Day takes place on September 21. It is part of World Alzheimer's Month, an international effort led by Alzheimer's Disease International to raise awareness and challenge stigma. Stigma means unfair ideas or attitudes that can cause people to be treated badly. Learning about Alzheimer's can help communities replace misunderstandings with respect.
What happens in the brain?
The brain helps us remember, communicate, make decisions, and carry out daily activities. Its cells send messages to one another through networks. In Alzheimer's disease, changes in the brain damage these cells and their connections. Over time, the damage makes it harder for the brain to work as it once did.
- awareness:
- Knowledge and understanding of something.
- networks:
- Connected groups that allow things to communicate or work together.
- connections:
- Links between things.
- inevitable:
- Certain to happen.
- assumption:
- An idea accepted as true without being sure.
- preferences:
- Things a person likes or chooses over others.
- frustrated:
- Upset because something is difficult or is not going as hoped.
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Main Idea
Identify the central idea and explain how important details develop it.
Context Clues
Use clues in the passage to work out what words mean. A separate printable Vocabulary worksheet is also available.
Summarize
Select, organize, and restate the most important information without adding opinion.
Purpose
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Structure
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Vocabulary
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Writing Prompts
Use the passage as a springboard for short written responses, from personal reflection to evidence-based arguments.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What is the main purpose of World Alzheimer's Day, and how does it connect to World Alzheimer's Month?
- 2How do changes in the brain make daily activities harder for someone with Alzheimer's?
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About this explanatory article passage for Upper Elementary
“A Day to Understand Alzheimer's” is a explanatory article reading passage about Alzheimer's awareness, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 3 minutes to read (488 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.