World Alzheimer’s Day Celebration
Many health organizations organise Alzheimer’s walks on this day. Communities throughout the world hold public meetings and seminars to spread awareness about Alzheimer’s. Previously, we have witnessed several downtown buildings in Chicago and the CN Tower in Toronto have been lit purple, the colour of Alzheimer’s awareness.
Aim of Campaign in 2021
This year’s campaign will spread awareness on the warning signs of Alzheimer’s and encourage people to contact the Alzheimer’s or dementia association in their country.
It is possible only through an effective universal effort and encouragement by all the health organisations working at different levels to raise a much-needed awareness and challenge the stigma and disinformation that still surrounds dementia.
Facts about Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer's disease causes problems with memory, thinking ability and behaviour that impede daily functioning. It accounts for 60 to 80 percent of all dementia cases and is increasing at a rapid speed.
● Every 65 seconds, human develops Alzheimer's disease across the globe.
● By 2050, nearly 14 million people in the US are expected to have Alzheimer's disease.
● At present, Alzheimer's disease is one of the major causes of death in the world.
● 1 in every 3 senior citizens dies with some form of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease across the globe.
● Since 2000, deaths from Alzheimer's disease have increased dramatically.
Early signs of Alzheimer according to the experts
· Memory loss: The key sign that indicate a person is affected by Alzheimer's is memory loss which is too frequent and too gross
· Distress in calculating or handling money: When a person finds it hard to make basic calculations, and handling money or paying the bills
· Depression and mood swings: Depression is an early sign of Alzheimer's disease and many times it may precede it
· Problem in making decisions
· Trouble in attention span: Problems in concentrating on usual routine work
· Struggle in communication
· Restlessness: Unable to recognise relatives, become restless, or may make some movements repeatedly. Sometimes, they might have hallucinations
While memory impairment is a natural phenomenon with ageing process, Alzheimer's is certainly not. Multitasking becomes extremely difficult, and it may be challenging to manage finances and eventually a person may find it difficult to deal with numbers.
The impact of this disease is disproportionate and majority of people with this disease are 60 and older and incidence rates increase with age. The cost of this disease reaches to $270 billion each year in the U.S. Early and accurate stage of Alzheimer's diagnosis could save up to $7.9 trillion. More than 18 billion unpaid labour hours are spent yearly on dementia treatment. Although there are currently no treatments that can flatten the disease curve, but proper management of the behavioural symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease can significantly improve the lives of patients and their caregivers.
Author
Ankita Majumder
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