WORLD ALZHIEMER’S DAY

Admin September 20, 2017
WORLD ALZHIEMER’S DAY

al“Remember Me – Theme 2017”

Alzheimer’s disease:

Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse over time, becoming severe enough to interfere with daily tasks.

The most common early symptom of Alzheimer’s is difficulty remembering newly learned information. As Alzheimer’s advances through the brain it leads to increasingly severe symptoms, including disorientation, mood and behavior changes; deepening confusion about events, time and place; unfounded suspicions about family, friends and professional caregivers; more serious memory loss and behavior changes; and difficulty speaking, swallowing and walking.

Alzheimer’s statistics in India:

In India, more than 4 million people have some form of dementia. Worldwide, at least 44 million people are living with dementia, making the disease a global health crisis that must be addressed.

World Alzheimer’s month: September

World Alzheimer’s Month is the international campaign every September, launched in 2012.  This year, it will mark the 6th global World Alzheimer’s Month.

World Alzheimer’s day: 21st September
Aim:
  • Highlight the importance of early detection and diagnosis of dementia.
  • To raise awareness and challenge the stigma that surrounds dementia.

Due to the seriousness of this disease it is celebrated for the whole month in some countries.

Theme 2017:

‘Remember me’ – to highlight the importance of early detection and diagnosis of dementia.

History of World Alzheimer’s Day:

Originally, this day is part of World Alzheimer’s Month, where organizations coordinate to create global messages about dementia for the media, key stakeholders and policy makers. The decision to recognise the full month was made to enable national and local Alzheimer associations worldwide to extend the reach of their awareness programs and events.

The day however was launched in 1994 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Alzheimer Disease International (ADI) association, which empowers other organizations with research and updated knowledge about Alzheimer’s and dementia. ADI is the international federation of Alzheimer associations around the world, in official relations with the World Health Organization. It holds international conferences, and supports the Alzheimer University, a series of practical workshops to help staff and volunteers.

Get involved from where you are:
Celebrating World Alzheimer’s Day is very simple.
  • Indulge yourself with the Alzheimer’s organization in the country to involve in providing awareness
  • Educate people around you about its early symptoms to treat them at the earlier stage
  • Post and share your World Alzheimer’s Day celebrations on the social media using the hashtag #WorldAlzheimer’sDay
  • Share your favorite memories, or memories of a loved one, on social media
  • WEAR PURPLE!Encourage everyone in your office/family/friends to wear purple on Alzheimer’s Action Day (September 21)
Activities from some places around the world:
  • Africa: 1st September – Launching of World Alzheimer’s Month with a Durbar at Kibi Community, Eastern Region
  • Australia : 11th-14th September – National speaker tour by Dr Steven Sabat M.A. Ph.D. with the theme You Are Not Alone
  • India: 22nd-24th September, India: ARDSI Calcutta Chapter – conference
  • Malaysia: 9th-10th September- various activities taking place at Atria Shopping Gallery, Damansara Jaya including a ‘Remember Me’ Treasure Hunt, ‘Remember Me’ Memory Walk and Dementia talk (in Chinese). Atria Shopping Gallery is the first mall in Malaysia aspiring to be the first dementia-friendly mall catering to its communities.

References ;

    1. https://www.alz.co.uk/world-alzheimers-month
    2. https://www.worldalzmonth.org/events/
    3. https://www.worldalzmonth.org/

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