World Alzheimer’s Day is annually observed across the globe on September 21st to create awareness about Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behaviour.
World Alzheimer’s Month – September:
World Alzheimer’s Month is annually observed during the month of September to create awareness and challenge the stigma around dementia.
World Alzheimer’s Month campaigns:
The World Alzheimer’s Month campaign was first launched in 2011.
- September 2021 marks the 10th anniversary of the global awareness campaign.
- The theme of the 2021 World Alzheimer’s Month campaigns is “Know Dementia, Know Alzheimer’s”.
Background:
i.Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) and the World Health Organization (WHO) launched World Alzheimer’s Day at the opening of ADI’s annual conference in Edinburgh on 21 September 1994.
ii.World Alzheimer’s Month was first piloted in 2010 in 12 countries.
About Dementia and Alzheimer’s:
i.Dementia is an overall term used to describe brain syndromes that affect memory, behaviour and emotions.
ii.Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia that affects around 50 to 60% of people with dementia.
Cause: Dementia is caused by damage to or changes in the brain. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia.
Types: Vascular dementia, Lewy Body Disease, Frontotemporal dementia, Alcohol-related dementia, Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease.
Symptoms: The most common symptoms are loss of memory; difficulty in finding the right words or understanding what people are saying; difficulty in performing previously routine tasks and personality and mood changes.
About Alzheimer’s Disease International(ADI):
CEO- Paola Barbarino
Headquarters- London, United Kingdom
Founded in 1984
