What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Kevin Prior is the former owner and president of ComForCare, a home care company that served the elderly based in Plymouth, Michigan. Together with his team at ComForCare, Kevin Prior created the DementiaWise program, which offered a comprehensive care protocol for Alzheimer's patients.

Alzheimer's is a progressive and irreversible neurological illness that damages and kills brain cells, leading to a gradual decline in cognitive function that can be severe enough to affect day-to-day functioning. It is the most common cause of dementia, and its cause is not fully understood, but age and genetics are thought to play a role.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 5.8 million Americans over the age of 65 and 200,000 Americans below 65 have Alzheimer's disease. The initial symptoms of Alzheimer's disease are often subtle, and may be confused with normal aging or stress.

One of the earliest signs of the disease is forgetfulness. People with Alzheimer's may have difficulty remembering recent events, such as conversations, appointments, or where they left their belongings. They may also struggle to recall important details such as their home address or phone number.

Other early symptoms may include difficulty completing familiar tasks, including cooking or driving, and trouble with language, including finding the right words or following a conversation. People with Alzheimer's may also experience changes in their mood and behavior, such as becoming easily agitated, withdrawing from social activities, or exhibiting unusual or inappropriate behavior.

As the disease progresses, these symptoms may become more severe, and individuals may experience significant memory loss, confusion, and difficulty with basic tasks such as dressing and eating. It is important to note that not everyone with Alzheimer's disease will experience the same symptoms, and the progression of the disease can vary greatly from person to person.

There is currently no cure for Alzheimer's disease, and the treatment available is aimed at managing symptoms and improving quality of life. Steps individuals can take to reduce their risk of developing Alzheimer's or the progression of the disease include exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, and staying mentally active.

 

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Inclusive Leadership Traits That Promote Workplace Diversity

Workplace diversity refers to the differences among individuals in an organization, including race, gender, age, religion, education, and sexual orientation. Business leaders must create an inclusive environment that embraces diverse perspectives to drive creativity and collaboration. To achieve this, they must possess certain traits to promote workplace diversity effectively.

Being mindful of unconscious bias is essential for inclusive leadership. Self-awareness enables leaders to recognize and address their biases and those within their team. Unconscious biases in the workplace can lead to adverse outcomes such as high turnover rates, poor team dynamics, decreased productivity and creativity, and legal repercussions.

Inclusive leaders are curious. They strive to value diverse experiences, understand different worldviews, and learn from employees and colleagues. They also inspire others to embrace new ideas. Proactively promoting diversity and a desire to expand knowledge is vital to creating an inclusive workplace culture.

Humility is another key leadership trait to promoting workplace diversity. Humble leaders acknowledge their potential biases and actively solicit feedback on their blind spots. They are transparent about their weaknesses and use that feedback to improve themselves. This creates a culture where team members feel comfortable sharing their perspectives.

Humble leaders also admit their mistakes, learn from them, and make necessary adjustments to improve. Organizations can benefit significantly from hiring such leaders, as they are less likely to be hindered by a lack of self-awareness in promoting inclusivity. 

Inclusive leaders are also adept at navigating cross-cultural environments and understanding the impact of cultural differences on interactions and decision-making. They possess cultural intelligence and value diversity, which helps foster strong interpersonal connections and creates an inclusive workplace environment of respect and empathy among team members. They can easily recognize issues related to diversity and inclusion, address them, and identify improvement opportunities.

Building genuine relationships with employees is crucial for understanding their needs, values, and perspectives. Inclusive leaders invest time in getting to know their team members as whole people, not just as workers. Doing so creates a culture of respect, trust, and appreciation, where everyone feels comfortable sharing their perspectives and experiences, leading to open communication and inclusivity.

Another trait of inclusive leaders is actively recognizing and supporting their team members' unique contributions and growth. This means providing personalized and meaningful recognition for their work, which helps to foster a sense of belonging and commitment. Recognition can take many forms, from verbal praise to a letter of thanks. It helps to reinforce the value and diversity of contributions within the team and encourages open communication.

Promoting diversity and inclusion also requires leaders to be committed to action and accountability. This means taking active steps to create and maintain a diverse culture, understanding cultural differences, providing a safe environment for discussing diversity, and identifying and correcting any processes or behaviors that impede performance. Leaders should also seek input from employees on how to make company policies more inclusive, encourage collaboration, and establish open-door policies for honest feedback. True change requires leaders to act with humility, courage, and curiosity.

Organizational leaders must communicate the benefits of diversity to employees and develop a strategic plan to reflect the company's philosophy on diversity. They should lead by example, making diversity and inclusion a priority and not an afterthought.

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