ALPENA — Alpena Senior Citizens Center will host an event on Thursday to provide resources and raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia.

The event, called The Longest Day, will feature crafts, speakers, and resources throughout the day at the senior center, 501 River St., Alpena.

“It is a fundraiser partnering with NEMCSA and the Alzheimer’s Association,” said Alpena Senior Citizens Center Director Annie Hepburn. “All the funds raised on that day will go toward the Alzheimer’s Association for the Longest Day event. Every year, they do different things to focus on the longest day of the year, which is in June.”

Although the longest day of the year was June 21, the event committee selected June 29 to hold the event this year.

“We actually chose the 29th just because it worked out better for all of us to be able to work together as a team,” Hepburn explained.

Representatives from Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency Region 9 Area Agency on Aging will be speaking at the event, and many resources will be on-hand for caregivers, family members, and anyone interested.

From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., crafts will be offered, including rock painting and doodle word, for a $5 donation, led by Justin Christensen-Cooper from Art in the Loft.

From 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Michelle Anderson will speak about her role as a family caregiver.

“She is actually a volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association in another location,” Hepburn said of Anderson.

The Alzheimer’s Association and others will have resource tables set up, and more speakers will participate from 4:45 to 7 p.m. During that time, there will be a 50/50 raffle, door prizes, and snacks. At about 6 p.m., Karen Bennett will present on future planning.

“If you don’t have your legal stuff in order, it would be a real great benefit to come and listen to Karen,” Hepburn said. “She’s got great expertise in elder law, and it’s important to get our paperwork in order.”

MyMichigan Medical Center will also be at the event.

“The goal is for the community here in Alpena to get some Alzheimer’s and dementia education and resources,” Hepburn said. “It’s going to be a fun, information-filled day.”

For more information or to register, call 989-358-4616. Registration is not required.

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, so it’s a good time to brush up on resources pertaining to dementia and Alzheimer’s, because they could affect anyone.

“You might not be personally affected by it, but I’m sure we all know somebody ­– it could be a neighbor or a family member — that is showing some forgetfulness,” Hepburn said. She added that people should come check out the resources “just to be aware of some of the warning signs. Is it normal aging? Is it dementia or Alzheimer’s? Is there something else going on?”

Hepburn said we need to get comfortable talking about dementia and Alzheimer’s so those who need help do not feel embarrassed to speak up.

“People don’t want to talk about it, and I think the more we are aware about it, and the more we talk about it, the more people will get help earlier rather than later,” she said. “Living with dementia does not have to be scary … We can be living a good quality life with dementia.”

Hepburn offered some current statistics from the Alzheimer’s Association.

“Currently, over 55 million people worldwide are living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia, including more than six million Americans,” she said. “Without changes in prevention or treatment, that number will nearly triple by 2050.”