National Alzheimer's Awareness Month 2026
National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month is observed throughout November. In 2026 that means the full month of November 2026 - not a one-day holiday. Congress designated November 1983 as National Alzheimer’s Disease Month (followed by a presidential proclamation), and the Alzheimer’s Association continues November awareness, caregiver support, and research messaging. It is not World Alzheimer’s Day on September 21, and it is not a U.S. federal holiday. This page is not medical advice. A CMS stamp on November 1 is the month opener only.
About National Alzheimer's Awareness Month
This page is educational and is not medical advice. Warning signs, diagnosis, and treatment belong with a clinician and Alzheimer’s Association guidance.
National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month is observed throughout November. In 2026 that means the full month of November 2026 - not a one-day holiday. Congress designated November 1983 as National Alzheimer’s Disease Month (followed by a presidential proclamation), and the Alzheimer’s Association continues November awareness, caregiver support, and research messaging. It is not World Alzheimer’s Day on September 21, and it is not a U.S. federal holiday. This page is not medical advice. A CMS stamp on November 1 is the month opener only.
Month vs day (and Alzheimer’s calendar collisions)
| Name | Typical date | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| National Alzheimer’s (Disease) Awareness Month | November (month) | This page - month, not one day |
| Live CMS day stamp | Often Nov 1 | Month opener only |
| World Alzheimer’s Day | Sep 21 | Different month/day - do not merge |
| World Alzheimer’s Month | September | Global ADI month - different |
| Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month | June | Alzheimer’s Association June campaign - different |
| National Diabetes Awareness Month | Also November | Same-month neighbor - label only |
| National Bone Marrow Donor Awareness Month | Also November | Same-month neighbor - label only |
| Federal holiday? | No | Awareness month; 1983 designation is not a day off |
World Alzheimer’s Day (September 21), World Alzheimer’s Month (September), and Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month (June) are different campaigns - never merge them into this November URL. National Diabetes Awareness Month and National Bone Marrow Donor Awareness Month are labeled November neighbors. For the month opener listing, see the November 1 hub. Month hub: November national days.
A short, defendable context
1983 designation. Congress designated November 1983 as National Alzheimer’s Disease Month (S.J. Res. 82), followed by presidential Proclamation 5110. That is historical recognition of a month - not the same as inventing an ongoing statutory federal holiday or paid day off. The 1983 joint resolution and proclamation are defendable history for why November; they are not a blank check to claim a permanent federal holiday.
Alzheimer’s Association role. The Alzheimer’s Association continues November awareness, caregiver support, and research messaging. Purple ribbon symbolism is fine historically. Soft prevalence, leading-cause, or unpaid-caregiver counts stay off this page without an Alzheimer’s Association/CDC year.
Hard separations and caregiver framing. World Alzheimer’s Day is September 21. World Alzheimer’s Month is September. Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month is June. None of those replace the November U.S. awareness month. Support caregivers and families without graphic decline storytelling as the article thesis. This page does not treat November 1 as the holiday or publish diagnostic checklists.
How to observe Alzheimer’s Awareness Month
- Learn reputable warning-sign basics from the Alzheimer’s Association or clinician-facing guidance - high-level only; not a self-diagnosis tool.
- Support caregivers with practical help (meals, respite, errands) when welcome.
- Walk or fundraise if that is your style - optional.
- Volunteer carefully through organizations you trust.
- Share purple awareness without medical claims or scare storytelling.
Answer-ready summary
National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month runs through November - in 2026, the full month of November 2026, not a one-day holiday. Congress designated November 1983 as National Alzheimer’s Disease Month (followed by a presidential proclamation), and the Alzheimer’s Association continues November awareness and caregiver support messaging. It is not World Alzheimer’s Day on September 21, not World Alzheimer’s Month (September), and not Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month (June). It is not a U.S. federal holiday. This page is not medical advice.
Facts
- Over 6.7 million Americans age 65+ have Alzheimer's
- It's the 6th leading cause of death in the US
- Two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer's are women
- Over 11 million Americans provide unpaid care for someone with Alzheimer's
- Research is making progress toward prevention and treatment
Frequently asked questions
When is National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month in 2026?
All of November 2026 - not a one-day holiday.
Is today National Alzheimer's Awareness Month?
No. National Alzheimer's Awareness Month in 2026 falls on Sunday, November 1, 2026, not today.
Is it a day or a month?
A month. A CMS stamp on November 1 is a listing convenience for the month opener, not the whole observance.
What is it about?
November U.S. awareness focused on Alzheimer’s education, caregiver support, and research messaging - rooted in 1983 congressional recognition and ongoing Association campaigning.
Who started it?
Congress designated November 1983 as National Alzheimer’s Disease Month (followed by Proclamation 5110). The Alzheimer’s Association continues November campaigning.
Is it the same as World Alzheimer’s Day on September 21?
No. World Alzheimer’s Day is September 21. World Alzheimer’s Month is September. This page is the November U.S. month.
How can someone take part?
Learn reputable basics, support caregivers, walk/fundraise if you wish, volunteer carefully, and share purple awareness without medical claims.
Is this medical advice?
No. Warning signs, diagnosis, and treatment belong to clinicians and Alzheimer’s Association guidance.
Is it a U.S. federal holiday?
No. The 1983 month designation is not a statutory federal holiday or paid day off.
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