Observing Alzheimer’s Day

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, a group of disorders that impairs mental functioning. 

The most common early symptom is difficulty in remembering recent events (short-term memory loss). As the disease advances, symptoms can include problems with language, disorientation (including easily getting lost), mood swings, loss of motivation, not managing self-care, and behavioural issues. 

As a person’s condition declines, they often withdraw from family and society. Gradually, bodily functions are lost, ultimately leading to death. Although the speed of progression can vary, the average life expectancy following diagnosis is three to nine years. 

Every 3 seconds someone develops dementia and every 68 seconds, someone develops Alzheimer’s disease. Worldwide, 47 million people are living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. 

About 131.5 million people will be living with dementia by 2050. 

World Alzheimer’s Day was launched at the opening of Alzheimer’s Disease International’s annual conference in Edinburgh on September 21, 1994 to celebrate its 10th anniversary. 

World Alzheimer’s Month is observed in September every year. It was launched in September 2012. The decision to introduce the full month, to contain the existing World Alzheimer’s Day, was made to enable national and local Alzheimer associations worldwide to extend the reach of their awareness programmes over a longer period of time.