WORLD ALZHEIMER'S DAY

THIS year's World Alzheimer's Day (WAD) is themed, "Diagnosing Dementia: See It Sooner". It seeks to bring people from all around the world to emphasise the importance of early diagnosis of the disease.

Alzheimer's Disease Foundation Malaysia (ADFM) in collaboration with Novartis Corporation Malaysia has announced a series of initiatives to mark WAD 2009, including the Global Alzheimer's Disease Charter.

THE CHARTER calls for action to address the growing public health and social care emergency posed by Alzheimer's and related dementias.

It upholds six core principles to make Alzheimer's and other dementias a global health priority:

(1) Promoting awareness and understanding of the disease.

(2) Respecting the human rights of patients with the disease.

(3) Recognizing the key role of families and carers.

(4) Providing access to health and social care.

(5) Stressing the importance of optimal treatment after diagnosis.

(6) Taking action to prevent the disease, through improvements in public health.


(From the Malaysia's National Alzheimer's Caregivers Online Network - NACON)