Activities lined up to mark World Alzheimer’s Day

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ABOUT 50,000 people suffer from Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) in Malaysia. It is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease that alters the brain, causing impaired memory, thinking, behaviour and functional activity.

AD is also the most common cause of dementia and it is estimated that there are 18 million people with AD worldwide, with one in 10 individuals over the age of 65 suffering from the condition.

To further educate the public on the disease, the Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation Malaysia (ADFM), in collaboration with Novartis Corporation Malaysia, is carrying out a series of initiatives to mark World Alzheimer’s Day (WAD) 2009, which includes the Global Alzheimer’s Disease Charter.

To increase awareness: (From left) Dr Lee, Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation Malaysia chairman Datuk Dr Yim Khai Kee, Ong, Novartis hospital head Lee Lily and foundation president (board of trustees) Datuk Jeffrey Ng during the press conference.

This year’s World Alzheimer’s Day, themed ‘Diagnosing Dementia: See It Sooner’, is on Sept 21 and focuses on raising awareness of the disease and highlighting the reality of living with the degenerative brain illness.

Kuala Lumpur Hospital geriatric unit head Dr Lee Fatt Soon said AD was the most common cause of dementia.

He said the incurable disease that progressed slowly in a patient could be treated with drugs and non-drug approach.

He said a patient’s caregiver should also be aware of the disease and how it progressed and affected the patient, in order for the individual to provide the right care.

“Understanding the disease is very important for caregivers as the disease also takes a toll on them.

A correct diagnosis of AD in a patient is important to plan for the future and prepare the patient and caregiver,” he said during a press conference at Le Meridien Kuala Lumpuron Wednesday.

At the event, foundation announced a series of activities lined up for WAD 2009.

It includes a public forum on Sept 27 in Penang and a Memory Walk on Nov 8 in Ipoh.

The Malacca Alzheimer’s Disease Support Group will be holding a public forum with pre-diagnostic screening on Sept 26 and in Johor Baru, another forum will take place on Oct 3.

The highlight will be a ground event to be held at ADFM Day Care Centre in Section 11, Petaling Jaya on Sept 26.

The event will include a talk, board game challenges, a jigsaw puzzle competition and a mini-scavenger hunt.

A succession of public service announcements will also be aired on leading radio stations as a build up to WAD.

Meanwhile, foundation patron Puan Sri Wendy Ong said it was important to get an early diagnosis of the disease for a better management of it.

She added that foundation and Novartis were embarking on a nationwide signature drive to recruit advocates for the Global AD Charter, drafted by Alzheimer’s Disease International.

The Charter addresses public health and social care importance posed by the disease and related dementia.