World Alzheimer’s Day: Raising Awareness and Seeking Solutions
Every year, September 21 is observed globally as World Alzheimer’s day. It is a day dedicated to raising awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, which together affect millions of people worldwide. More than just a date on the calendar, this day is a call to action-a reminder of our collective responsibility to understand, support, and work towards defeating this growing public health challenge. The theme of this year is ‘Ask about dementia Ask about Alzheimer’s’.
Dementia is an umbrella term for a collection of symptoms that are caused by disorders affecting the brain and have an impact on memory,thinking,behaviour and emotion.The most common of these disorders is Alzheimer’s disease, which affects about 50 to 60% of people with dementia.
Understanding the brain
Our brains are made up of over 86 billion nerve cells – more than the stars in the Milky Way. Dementia damages nerve cells, resulting in impaired functioning.
The specific symptoms a person living with dementia experiences will depend upon what parts of the brain are affected and/or the specific disease that is causing their dementia. Symptoms may include: loss of memory, difficulty in finding the right words or understanding what people are saying, difficulty in performing previously routine tasks, personality and mood changes.
A global movement
The observance of World Alzheimer’s Day began in 1994. Since then, it has grown into a global movement. The day plays a vital role in dispelling myths,breaking stigma,and spreading accurate facts. Too often, dementia is misunderstood as “just old age”, delaying diagnosis and treatment.
The World Health Organization estimates that over 55 million people currently live with dementia, with a new case of dementia occurring somewhere in the world every 3 seconds. The number of people living with dementia is predicted to rise sharply to 78 million by 2030 and 139 million by 2050. Dementia will be the third leading cause of death globally, by 2040. developing nations, where resources for elderly care are limited, will bear the greatest burden.Alzheimer’s not only affects health but also has notable social and economic consequences. Families face emotional exhaustion, and the cost of long-term care places an enormous strain on healthcare systems.
One of the most crucial messages of World Alzheimer’s Day is the recognition of caregivers. Spouses, children, and even neighbours often become the silent heroes of dementia care, sacrificing tim