The New York City Alzheimer’s Association teamed up with the New York Memory Center to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s.

Experts say Alzheimer’s disease affects more women than men.

Dr. Anafidelia Tavares, director of programs for the New York City chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, says there are five million people in the United States who have the disease.  She says three million of those people are women.

“It could be something to do with age in terms of women living longer than men, that might be part of it. There might be a genetic component or hormonal,” says Tavares.

The New York City Alzheimer’s Association teamed up with the New York Memory Center to offer classes around the city, including one at Restoration Plaza, to raise awareness about the signs of Alzheimer’s since most caregivers tend to be women.

The Alzheimer’s Association says early detection matters, so it’s important to look for signs of confusion over time and place, changes in mood and personality, misplacing things and losing the ability to trace ones steps.