If you or a loved one is living with Alzheimer’s disease, you’re already aware of the impact the condition can have on your life — but chances are strong that other people in your orbit don’t know as much as they could about the disease. That’s why it’s important to raise awareness for the condition — particularly in June, which is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month.

It can be hard when your friends and family don’t know what you’re going through. It can also feel difficult to say no to loved ones who don’t understand your situation, because you might worry about how your relationships will be affected.

Raising awareness about Alzheimer’s disease is important so that your friends, family, and acquaintances can better understand how to support you. Check out five ways you can get involved with Alzheimer’s disease awareness.

1. Start by Raising Your Own Awareness

Before you boost public awareness by sharing information with others, it’s a good idea to understand the specifics about Alzheimer’s. Learn more about the condition’s causes, signs and symptoms, and treatments.

Alzheimer’s is a degenerative brain disease that causes worsening dementia and memory loss. Alzheimer’s dementia is not the only form of dementia, but it is the most common. Alzheimer’s makes up 60 percent to 80 percent of dementia cases.

Alzheimer’s is most commonly diagnosed in people aged 65 or older. Alzheimer’s and its effects are different from the mild forgetfulness that can be part of the normal aging process.

Although Alzheimer’s disease currently cannot be cured, treatments can lessen symptoms and improve quality of life.

2. Share Awareness Resources

After you’re armed with information about Alzheimer’s, you can share your knowledge with others. The fastest and least expensive way for this kind of advocacy is through social media. You can post information about Alzheimer’s disease, share details about the condition, and join communities of other people who are also working to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s.

You can follow the Alzheimer’s Association on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

3. Use Relevant Social Media Hashtags

To ensure your messages on social media spread awareness to as many people as possible, consider using an appropriate Alzheimer’s-related hashtag, like #EndALZ, #EndAlzheimers, and #AlzheimersAwareness. This way, your posts will be seen by more people who have the same interests and are more likely to share and comment.

Social media posts help raise awareness for the condition, and posting also allows other people with Alzheimer’s to realize they aren’t alone. Joining an Alzheimer’s community on social media, such as myALZteam, can also help you connect with others.

“I have been focused on the global dementia awareness activities,” one myALZteam member wrote. Another said, “It’s important to raise awareness of this condition.”

4. Wear Purple

Purple is the signature color of the Alzheimer’s disease movement, and people are encouraged to don purple clothing and accessories during the month of June.

“Even my dog is wearing purple for Alzheimer’s awareness,” one myALZteam member wrote. Another said, “Who's crazy enough to put purple in her hair to show my passion to #endalz? This girl!”

5. Participate in Awareness Activities

Another way to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease is to participate in an activity dedicated to the cause. You can walk or run for Alzheimer's, play bingo, host a silent auction or fundraiser, or even create a unique event that works for your interests. You can help other people understand more about Alzheimer’s while having fun and fundraising for the cause.

If you are able to, you can also donate to the Alzheimer’s Association to support Alzheimer’s research and advocacy.

Connect With Others Who Understand

On myALZteam, more than 84,000 people living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with the condition.

Share your Alzheimer’s journey in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.