21 September '09 World Alzheimer's Day - DON'T YOU FORGET

21 September is World Alzheimer’s Day. Find out what you can do to make it count.

THIS year’s flurry of educational events held in conjunction with World Alzheimer’s Day will take place in over 50 countries and focus on "Diagnosing Dementia: See It Sooner”.

This month’s Art4Health piece was created by Malaysian Art Director, Walter Teoh in support of World Alzheimer’s Day 2009. It illustrates how the memory loss and inability to mentally process information an Alzheimer’s patient experiences can make him feel like he is slowly losing the bits and pieces that make him.

Why is early detection important? Because Alzheimer’s is incurable, but appropriate care and medical treatment can slow its progression and improve patient quality of life.

The sooner it’s detected, the sooner intervention can take place, and the better the outcome for patients, caregivers, and the community at large.

FAST FACTS

Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common cause of dementia (the loss of control of conscious mental processes) among older people, but it is not part of the normal ageing process.

In Alzheimer’s, nerve cells in the brain progressively die. At the same time, the brain produces less of the chemicals that allow nerves to communicate with each other.

As the parts of the brain typically affected first are those that store and retrieve new information, memory is usually affected first.

Early stage patients may also experience difficulty in finding the right words and mood swings. Don’t dismiss these symptoms as part and parcel of old age!

Later stage patients may suffer deeper lapses of memory and have difficulty understanding what they’re told. They may forget daily living skills, undergo personality changes, or appear indifferent to those around them.

Advanced stage patients may become unable to speak, walk, and eat independently. Some lose their sense of time and place, and may wander off with no idea where they’re headed or recollection of how they got there. Some lose their inhibitions and sense of propriety, and may undress in public or make inappropriate sexual advances.

Take a minute to visit www.globalcharter.org/film and watch A Cup of Tea, a (very) short film produced by Alzheimer’s Disease International.

Some drugs can slow disease progression and alleviate symptoms like depression, paranoia, insomnia, and hallucinations. But loving care, patience, understanding, and a safe, stable environment are what a patient needs most.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Attend a talk, like any of those listed in Events, to learn more.

Watch A Cup of Tea, a (very) short film produced by Alzheimer’s Disease International at www.globalcharter.org/film.

Contribute to Alzheimer’s care. For example, at the Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation Malaysia (ADFM) two centres, RM30/day pays one person’s way, covering meals, daily activities, staff salaries, and maintenance. To find out how you can help, contact ADFM Secretariat at Tel: 603-7956 2008 / 7958 3008 or Email: adfmsec@streamyx.com.

Sign the Global Alzheimer’s Disease Charter if you feel all governments should promote awareness and understanding of Alzheimer’s; respect the human rights of people with the disease; recognize caregivers; provide patient access to health and social care; stress the importance of optimal treatment after diagnosis; and increase prevention by improving public health.

(Source: Sunday Star, September 6, 2009 at http://thestar.com.my/services/printerfriendly.asp?file=/2009/9/6/health/4641611.asp&sec=health)

From Malaysia's National Alzheimer's Caregivers Online Network