Access Hollywood’s Liz Hernandez Wants You to Be Alzheimer’s Aware

June is Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month and Access Hollywood’s Liz Hernandez has teamed up with the Alzheimer’s Association to help uncover the truths about the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States, and the only cause of death among the top 10 that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed. The disease became personal to Hernandez, who joined NBC’s Access Hollywood in 2014, when her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s two years ago. By sharing the personal journey of caring for her mother, Hernandez is hoping to highlight the truth that caregiving can become anyone’s reality. And, as a Mexican American, Hernandez also understands the importance of educating this community as Hispanics are about one and one-half times as likely as Caucasians to have Alzheimer’s and more than two-thirds of Americans with Alzheimer’s disease are women. Here’s what Hernandez wants you to learn about this disease.

Before your mom was diagnosed, had she been showing any signs or symptoms? 

We started noticing small signs about two years before she was diagnosed, but we shrugged it off as normal aging. Over time I started getting calls every day from my dad saying that my mom had lost her keys again and he had found them in the refrigerator or that she had accused him of stealing her jewelry. It finally got to the point where my mom called me and asked how to get to my sister’s house, when my sister had lived down the street from us for 15 years.

Since that moment when you learned your mom has Alzheimer’s, how has your life changed?

This disease affects everyone differently. My mom is the heart and soul of our family, so this struck us pretty hard. I stepped up in the beginning to be my mom’s caregiver and made sure she felt loved and supported. Watching her slowly lose who she is, is very hard. But it’s important to remind yourself that this isn’t her, it’s the disease. Unfortunately, she now needs 24-hour care, so now it’s about being there and having someone from the family there with her every day to make sure that she’s in an environment where she feels comfortable. To me, that’s so important and having our family really rally around her has been the most vital part.

What do you want everyone to know about Alzheimer’s?

I really encourage everyone to know the warning signs and you can learn more about the signs by visiting the Alzheimer’s Association’s website. You never think this disease is going to land on your doorstep until it does. It makes you realize how important it is to be educated. Had I known the warning signs, I would have known what to look out for and would have gotten my mom care sooner. I hope that people really learn about this disease. My mom was always healthy, and took care of herself, and it just goes to show you that it could happen to anybody. So to me the warning signs and paying attention to those is most crucial.

What healthy habits can we adopt to reduce our risk of cognitive decline?

Having an overall healthy lifestyle has a positive impact on brain health—exercising, eating healthy, getting enough sleep, are all good things for our minds and bodies. I know that nowadays people lead such busy lives, but it’s really important to take care of yourself and put your health first.

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What do you plan to do on The Longest Day, a team event on June 20 that raises funds for the Alzheimer’s Association?

I am going to be wearing purple and posting on social media to help bring some attention to the Alzheimer’s Association and this cause. The more we talk about this disease, the stronger the fight will be to end it.