November is both National Diabetes Awareness Month and Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, two conditions that greatly impact aging adults.

DACL is committed to sharing helpful information, early warning signs, and local resources to support your health and well-being.

Spot the Signs: Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease

November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about a disease that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. While some forgetfulness is normal with age, Alzheimer’s is not a typical part of aging. Recognizing symptoms early can help individuals and families plan, seek treatment, and maintain brain health for as long as possible.

10 Early Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s

If you or someone you know experiences any of the signs below, don’t ignore them—schedule an appointment with your health care provider.

1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life
2. Challenges in planning or solving problems
3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks
4. Confusion about time or place
5. Trouble understanding visual images or spatial relationships
6. New problems with speaking or writing
7. Misplacing items and losing the ability to retrace steps
8. Poor judgment or decision-making
9. Withdrawal from work or social activities
10. Changes in mood or personality

For a more detailed overview, visit the Alzheimer’s Association:
alzheimer’s.org – 10 Warning Signs
https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/10_signs

Diabetes in the District

More than 1.4 million adults in the DC Metropolitan area are living with diabetes. As we age, it becomes even more important to understand the condition, recognize warning signs, and take steps to reduce risk.

What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes occurs when the body does not make enough insulin or cannot use it effectively. Insulin helps the body turn food into energy. There are several types:

Type 1 Diabetes:

Accounts for about 5% of cases. Causes may include genetic or autoimmune factors.
Warning signs include frequent urination, unusual thirst, extreme hunger, unexpected weight loss, extreme fatigue, and irritability.

Type 2 Diabetes:

The most common and often preventable form, making up 90–95% of cases.
Warning signs include: any Type 1 symptoms, frequent infections, blurred vision, slow-healing cuts, tingling or numbness in hands/feet, and recurrent skin, gum, or bladder infections.
Many people experience no symptoms at all.

Gestational Diabetes:

Occurs during pregnancy and increases the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life. A small percentage of people develop diabetes due to surgery, medication side effects, illness, or hereditary conditions.

How to Prevent or Delay Type 2 Diabetes

Knowing your risk factors is the first step. These include older age, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, family history, and a history of gestational diabetes.

You can lower your risk by:

• Staying active
• Eating balanced, nutritious meals
• Managing stress
• Maintaining a healthy weight

DC Diabetes Prevention & Control

The District of Columbia Diabetes Control Program works to reduce the burden of diabetes through partnerships, policy changes, and improved access to prevention and self-management resources.

Program Services Include:

• Support and technical assistance to health care providers and community programs
• Information on diabetes prevention and self-management resources
• Promotion of health policies that improve outcomes
• Monitoring diabetes trends and sharing updated data

For more information, visit dchealth.dc.gov.

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In Service,
Charon P.W. Hines
Director, DC Department of Aging and Community Living