Introduction:
Alzheimer's is a disease that most often affects the elderly. It starts with slight loss of memory that control thought, memory and language, leading to the inability to make a simple conversation or interact with the surrounding events, and it is the most common type of dementia. World Alzheimer’s Day is celebrated annually on September 21.
The disease is named after the German physician Aloys Alzheimer, who described it in 1906 after he noticed anatomical changes in the brain tissue of a woman, who had died of an unusual mental illness.
Facts:
- Alzheimer’s incidence doubles every 5 years after the age of 65.
- This number of cases is projected to nearly triple to 14 million people by 2060.
- Education may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
- Alzheimer's disease is not a part of normal aging.
- There are 130,000 cases of Alzheimer's disease in Saudi Arabia.
Objectives:
- Enhancing and raising awareness about Alzheimer’s worldwide.
- Developing the services provided for patients with Alzheimer's disease at all stages of the disease.
- Reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease by changing lifestyle, and adopting a healthy approach.
- Holding workshops on challenges and delivering comprehensive service to Alzheimer's patients and caring about them in the right ways.
Official Date:
- Globally: September 21st, 2020.
- Locally: Safar 2nd, 1442H