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Washington County proclaims June 2025 Alzheimer’s awareness month
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Summary
Washington County Commissioner’s Court on June 17 approved a proclamation designating June 2025 as Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and heard remarks from local caregivers and advocates about diagnosis, caregiving burdens and an upcoming community walk.
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Texas — The Washington County Commissioner’s Court on Tuesday approved a proclamation designating June 2025 as Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month in the county.
The proclamation, presented during the June 17 meeting, says Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that causes deterioration of memory and thinking, and that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists Alzheimer’s as a leading cause of death. The court adopted the proclamation after a motion and second; members signaled approval by saying “aye” and the judge declared the motion carried.
Advocates and family members urged public awareness and local support. Amy Shupock, who identified herself as representing Kruse Village, said early diagnosis matters and that treatments can slow symptoms when the disease subtype is known. “If you go to the doctor and the doctor does some tests and walks in and says it’s cancer, what’s the first thing you’re gonna ask them? You’re gonna say, ‘what kind?’ ... What can I do to fight this? They walk in and say, ‘dementia.’ We just go home and cry,” she said.
Shupock cited workforce and caregiving pressures, saying the U.S. needs nearly 900,000 additional direct care workers over the next decade and that “nearly 12,000,000 Americans provide unpaid care for family members.” Donna Williams, identified as president of the Pilot Club, and Carol Hutchins, identified as the club’s secretary, described the proclamation as a local start to longer-term support and fundraising efforts.
County officials encouraged attendance at a community awareness walk; Shupock invited residents to a walk she said will be held on Friday at the facility she represents. County leaders and the Pilot Club described the event as a chance for families and caregivers to connect and raise funds.
Discussion at the meeting mixed personal testimony and program promotion. A county official shared that both of their parents had Alzheimer’s and described the emotional and caregiving burden on families.
The proclamation does not allocate county funds or establish a county program; it commends observance and supports outreach and education by community organizations. The county did not specify any funding or follow-up assignments during the meeting.
