LI landmarks to light up in teal for Alzheimer’s awareness on Nov. 1

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Long Island landmarks will light up in teal on Nov. 1, marking the start of Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. They will join more than 1,300 buildings and landmarks around the world that are participating in the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s (AFA) Light the World in Teal program.

“It’s wonderful to see some of Long Island’s most well-known and iconic sites raising Alzheimer’s awareness and showing support for the millions of Americans impacted by the disease,” Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s president and CEO, said in a news release about the program. “AFA thanks each of them for ‘going teal’ and literally shining a light on the issue of Alzheimer’s disease.”

The initiative comes at a time when nearly 7 million Americans, including 410,000 New Yorkers, and more than 50,000 Long Islanders, are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease, according to the news release. The number of people with Alzheimer’s is projected to double by 2060, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

On Long Island, buildings slated to participate include the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building in Mineola, UBS Arena in Elmont, Babylon Town Hall, Hempstead Town Hall Clock Tower and The Paramount in Huntington. A number of buildings will be lit up in Commack, including Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center, Artis and Gurwin sites, including its Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Fay J. Lindner Residences, Adult Day Healthcare, SADP Dept., FountainGate Gardens, Island Nursing and Rehab Center and Social Day Care Program. Other buildings include Encore Luxury Living in Jericho, and various Sunrise and Bristal Assisted Living facilities throughout Long Island.

This is the 11th year of AFA’s Light the World in Teal campaign. The organization is also encouraging individuals to raise awareness by wearing teal, and posting about Alzheimer’s on social media.