Every September during World Alzheimer’s Month, and on September 21st, World Alzheimer’s Day, the global community has the opportunity to learn more about Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. This year is no different, with the theme of World Alzheimer’s Month, “Time to act on dementia, Time to act on Alzheimer’s”, focusing on raising awareness about the condition and addressing the stigma and discrimination which still surround it.

Alzheimer’s Disease is a form of dementia which greatly affects memory, thinking, behaviour and emotion. Dementia affects many people in our national community and around the world, and according to PAHO, the number of people living with the condition worldwide is expected to triple by the year 2050.

A lack of awareness about dementia, compounded by stigma and misinformation can prevent people from seeking a diagnosis. In fact, according to Alzheimer’s Disease International, 75% of people living with dementia are doing so undiagnosed. It is therefore critical, now more than ever before, that public attitudes and perspectives on dementia begin to change.

It is important for people to know that while there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia, there are treatments available that can slow the progression of the condition. Furthermore, there are ways in which persons can delay and even prevent its onset, including through a healthy diet, exercising regularly and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

Time is of the essence when it comes to raising awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. As patron of the Alzheimer’s Association of Trinidad and Tobago (AzATT), I encourage members of the national community to use the opportunity of World Alzheimer’s Month and World Alzheimer’s Day 2024 to gain greater understanding and awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. AzATT provides useful and relevant information about the condition and can point concerned persons in the right direction. On this World Alzheimer’s Day 2024, let us do our part to be appropriately informed about Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.