Campus News

Young Library Shines Purple to Bring Awareness to Alzheimer’s and Caregivers

Purple lights on the William T. Young Library.
Pete Comparoni | UK photo.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 2, 2020) — In celebration of National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregiver’s Month, from Wednesday, Nov. 4 to Friday, Nov. 6, the William T. Young Library will shine purple to show the University of Kentucky's commitment to a world without Alzheimer's disease and to commemorate the important work done by caregivers.

Nearly 40 years ago, President Ronald Reagan designated November as National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. Today, more than 5.8 million Americans are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or another related form of dementia. While that number is staggering, millions more are impacted by the disease due to caregiver needs. 

To assist UK caregivers who are impacted by dementia, every year, UK’s Elder Care hosts the Senior Caregiving Conference.

The 2020 Senior Caregiving Conference will be held virtually Friday, Nov. 6, and will feature a two-hour webinar with dementia expert Teepa Snow, followed by a one-hour virtual resource fair with local exhibitors. Interested attendees should register here.

Through partnered efforts, UK Work-Life hopes to provide information, resources and support to those impacted by this disease and to reinforce their support to UK and community caregivers.

To learn more about UK Elder Care, click here. For questions about the upcoming Senior Caregiving Conference or general elder care needs, please reach out to Terri Weber.

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.   

In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.