World Alzheimer’s Month
The month of September is acknowledged as World Alzheimer’s Month. The focal point of this month is September 21st, which is recognised as World Alzheimer’s Day. It is an international event that has been occurring each year since 2012 and run by Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI). World Alzheimer’s Day was launched at the opening of the ADI’s annual conference in Edinburgh on September 1994 to mark their 10-year anniversary. The aim of the month is to raise awareness and to challenge the stigma around Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
Dementia is a degenerative brain condition that affects over 50 million people internationally. Currently in Ireland there are 11,000 new cases of dementia each year, and with our ageing population, rates of dementia are estimated to rise from 55,000 presently to over 140,000 by 2050, meaning that by 2050, people with dementia will represent 2.49% of our population.
Dementia is an umbrella term for a number of symptoms that are caused by disorders that affect the brain and have an impact on memory, competency, comprehension and behavioural awareness. There are over 100 different forms of dementia, with the most common form being Alzheimer’s disease, which affects 50-60% of people with dementia.
Globally, it is thought that there is a poor understanding of dementia, therefore the awareness month was created to allow opportunities for individuals, businesses, and charities to organise events and to raise awareness among their communities of the effects of dementia on those living with the disease directly, their carers, or others affected indirectly. People around the world are encouraged to participate in raising awareness; whether it is by sharing social media messages, getting involved in local Alzheimer’s Associations’ activities, or making a donation to charities.
As part of raising awareness of Alzheimer’s and Dementia, the ADI release a World Alzheimer’s Report regularly which focuses on different topics related to Alzheimer’s and Dementia. They launched their first report on September 21st 2009 and have continued releasing reports on World Alzheimer’s Day each year since. This year the chosen topic is on the “Journey to a Diagnosis of Dementia”. It will feature first person accounts from people who had received a dementia diagnosis. The report will be launched via a webinar on World Alzheimer’s Day and those interested in learning more in regards to Alzheimer’s are encouraged to register for the event.
For further information on this year’s World Alzheimer’s Report and to register for this year’s webinar event, click on the following links below:
Link 1 https://www.alzint.org/event/world-alzheimer-report-2021-launch-webinar/
Link 2 https://www.alzint.org/resource/world-alzheimer-report-2021/
For further information on Alzheimer’s, World Alzheimer’s Month and previous World Alzheimer’s Reports click on the following links below:
Link 1 https://www.alzint.org/about/
Link 2 https://www.alzint.org/get-involved/world-alzheimers-month/
Link 3 https://www.alzint.org/what-we-do/research/world-alzheimer-report/
Alternatively, if you need further information on how to make facilities or services more accessible and inclusive, please do not hesitate to contact one of our team on (01) 415 12 85 or e-mail [email protected].
