Today is the Longest Day. Not because of the summer solstice, but for Alzheimer’s disease awareness.

Austin joined thousands of cities across the nation as Mayor Tom Stiehm proclaimed June 21 as “The Longest Day” in recognition of the Alzheimer’s Association’s efforts to promote awareness to fight Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

During Monday’s City Council meeting, Stiehm urged the citizens of Austin to wear purple on Wednesday to show support for Alzheimer’s awareness.

“Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States and the fifth leading cause among the elderly,” he said.

He also stated that 249,000 people across Minnesota have devoted an average of 284 million hours a year in unpaid care to friends and family members with Alzheimer’s, an estimated caregiving total of $3.5 billion.

State Rep. Jeanne Poppe, DFL-Austin, addressed the council in support of the proclamation.

“Alzheimer’s is commonly thought of as a disease that mainly affects the elderly, but the youngest reported case was for someone who was 28 years old,” she said. “Early onset Alzheimer’s can indeed strike very early.”

Poppe also said that information and displays about Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia would be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday at the Mower County Senior Center. For more information, call 507-433-2370.