World Alzheimer's Day: The Importance Of Raising Awareness And Early Detection
World Alzheimer’s Day is observed each year on September 21, during World Alzheimer’s Month. This day is an international campaign organized by Alzheimer’s Disease International to raise awareness for and educate the public on Alzheimer’s disease. By providing education on the disease and its early warning signs, those who are at risk or have loved ones at risk of developing Alzheimer’s can better understand the condition, find the resources and support they deserve, and begin therapies that may improve their quality of life.
In this article, we’ll discuss the details of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, the importance of detecting the disease’s early stages, and ways you can observe and raise awareness for World Alzheimer’s Day and beyond. Those impacted by their own or a loved one’s diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease may benefit from online or in-person therapy.
What is dementia?
Dementia is an umbrella term typically used to describe severe memory loss, language challenges, and decreased problem-solving abilities. Diseases that fall into the category of dementia are typically caused by abnormal changes to the brain. Dementia can severely affect a person’s cognitive abilities, thinking skills, behavior, feelings, relationships, and day-to-day function. These diseases may also affect an individual’s ability to maintain their independence.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, between 60% and 80% of dementia cases are classified as Alzheimer’s disease.
Other common forms of dementia can include vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and Lewy body dementia, among others.
About Alzheimer’s disease
As mentioned above, Alzheimer’s disease is generally considered the most common type of dementia and cause of dementia symptoms. Named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer, who first discovered the condition, Alzheimer’s disease gradually breaks down a person's memory and cognitive abilities, usually limiting their ability to drive, cook, take care of their house, or perform other tasks that allow them to function independently. The disease may also cause a person to become easily confused, leading them to frequently lose things or become lost themselves.
Alzheimer’s disease typically affects people 65 years of age or older, although symptoms can start as early as a person’s 30s. It’s estimated that more than six million adults 65 and older live with Alzheimer’s, with many additional cases occurring in younger adults as well.
The importance of raising awareness
By raising awareness and providing education on Alzheimer’s disease, teaching symptoms to watch for, and providing resources and support for those living with this condition, it can be easier to maintain brain health, slow the onset of the disease, and manage symptoms. Raising awareness can help caretakers recognize the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease in their loved ones and aid them in getting the support they deserve.
One common misconception about Alzheimer’s disease can be that it’s a normal part of aging. Although one’s risk may increase with age, Alzheimer’s is a disease typically resulting from abnormal changes to the brain and should be taken seriously. Even this simple piece of information can be crucial in managing the disease.
The importance of early detection
Although there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, early detection and treatment can significantly improve a person’s ability to manage their condition and improve their overall quality of life.
Additionally, early detection can allow a person to find the necessary treatments, manage their condition more easily, and plan for their futures while they have the cognitive capacity to do so.
Early signs of Alzheimer’s disease
Some early signs of Alzheimer’s disease might include the following:
- Frequently losing or misplacing items
- Difficulty completing day-to-day tasks
- Struggling to remember recent conversations or events
- Forgetting the names of people, places, or objects
- Becoming easily confused
- Forgetting where you are or how you got there
- Difficulty making decisions or making uncharacteristic decisions
- Difficulty problem-solving
- Difficulty speaking and/or writing
- Increased levels of anxiety and/or agitation
- Mood or personality changes
- Withdrawing from personal relationships or social activities
If you notice any of these symptoms in yourself or a loved one, you might consider speaking to your doctor about your experiences. By recognizing potential symptoms and detecting the disease early, it can be easier to form a plan and manage the condition going forward.
Ideas to observe World Alzheimer's Day
World Alzheimer’s Day is observed annually on September 21. There are several ways you can observe World Alzheimer’s Day, including raising awareness, fundraising, and educating others on the disease.
Participate in a walk or run
During World Alzheimer’s Day – and year-round – many organizations host walks or runs to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and raise money for global research. You might consider looking for events in your area. Some events might require a donation or fundraising campaign to participate. If there are no events in your area, you might consider participating in a virtual walk.
Wear purple
The color purple often symbolizes Alzheimer’s awareness, representing calm stability and passionate energy in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. Wearing purple clothing, a purple ribbon, a purple bracelet, or other purple artifacts can raise awareness and serve as a conversation starter, giving you the opportunity to educate others on the disease and how they can participate as well.
Tell your story
If you or a loved one is living with Alzheimer’s disease, it might be helpful to tell your story if you feel comfortable doing so. Others might recognize their own experiences in your tale, helping them detect the disease early in themselves or their loved ones. Telling your story can also help others feel comforted and empowered in their own situations.
Educate yourself or others
Researching Alzheimer’s disease can help you better understand the condition, especially if you or a loved one are at high risk of developing it. Additionally, educating others can change the way they view the disease. One helpful educational resource is Alzheimer’s Disease International’s collection of World Alzheimer Reports. Each World Alzheimer Report contains in-depth research on different Alzheimer’s topics, such as risk reduction, life after diagnosis, and the global impact of dementia.
Post on social media
Simply posting or reposting educational materials on social media platforms can raise awareness on World Alzheimer’s Day and beyond. The hashtag #WorldAlzheimersDay can be a helpful resource when searching for credible information to post. Additionally, the Alzheimer’s Society has various social media graphics to help raise awareness.
Volunteer at an event
Educational activities, walks or runs, and other events can often use volunteers to help set up, tear down, or ensure the event runs smoothly. If you have the time and are able to do so, you might consider volunteering at a local or virtual event on World Alzheimer’s Day.
Host a fundraiser
If there are no fundraising events in your area for World Alzheimer’s Day, you might consider organizing your own event. This could be an educational seminar, a walk or run, or another way to increase awareness in your community and raise money for Alzheimer’s research globally.
Make a donation
Monetary donations can help organizations further research Alzheimer’s disease, discover new ways to manage the condition, and bring our world closer to a cure. Depending on the organization, donations may also support those living with the disease. Some nonprofit organizations accepting donations include the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, and Cure Alzheimer’s Fund. Before donating, you might consider researching each organization to fully understand how your donations will be used.
Give your support
For those living with or caring for those living with Alzheimer’s, it can be difficult to find the necessary resources and support. If you’re able, you might observe World Alzheimer’s Day by lending a hand to those who need it. Sometimes, simply being an ear to listen can be a helpful way to support those affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
How therapy can help
Receiving an Alzheimer’s diagnosis or seeing someone you love receive an Alzheimer’s diagnosis can be a stressful experience. According to the Degenerative Neurological and Neuromuscular Disease journal, a diagnosis can often be accompanied by “shock and feelings of disbelief, anger, fear, hopelessness, despair and grief.”
Often, meeting with a therapist can be a helpful way to better accept the diagnosis and manage these accompanying emotions.
If you have symptoms of Alzheimer’s, you may find it difficult to commute to in-person appointments. Similarly, if you are a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s, it may be just as difficult to attend face-to-face sessions. In these cases, online therapy can be a beneficial way to receive treatment from the comfort of home. If you’re a caregiver, online therapy can also help you avoid leaving your loved one alone, especially if they’re unable to function independently.
A 2022 study analyzed how patients with Alzheimer’s disease responded to online therapy. Based on their data, online therapy can be an effective treatment for patients in the early stages of dementia with mild cognitive impairment, with results showing an “overall improvement in accuracy and latency … as well as specific improvements in visual and auditory memory, attention, and arithmetic tasks.”
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