Today, September 21, is annual World Alzheimer’s Day and September is World Alzheimer’s month. These designations are obviously not intended to celebrate this dreaded disease but rather to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s. With that in mind, here are a few items of interest: First, Here’s a simple primer from the CDC with basic facts regarding Alzheimer’s and research efforts currently underway to try to better understand and respond to this illness. Next, for anyone struggling as a patient or caregiver, you need to know about these free online tools from the Alzheimer’s Association which will provide you with up-to-date materials regarding information, support, resources and action plans. Finally, take a look at this Japanese pop-up restaurant that is wholly run by wait staff who suffer from dementia and Alzheimer’s. It’s a chance for non-afflicted people to interact with those who suffer from dementia, in order to better understand their struggle. Japan, with it’s rapidly aging society, will soon face a situation where one in five citizens over 65 will suffer from some sort of dementia. It behooves the Japanese, as well as us all, to better understand and integrate the needs of those with Alzheimer’s into the patterns and programs of everyday life.