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(MENAFN – The Peninsula) Doha: Throughout September, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is supporting World Alzheimer’s Month with a series of public awareness events that underpin the theme of the global ‘Let’s Talk About Dementia’ campaign.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions limiting public gatherings, this year’s campaign features an educational webinar for college students and faculty.
Around the world, awareness of Alzheimer’s disease is represented by the color purple in solidarity with all people living with this disease and on September 21 the iconic buildings of Doha and near the Doha Corniche will be illuminated in purple .
Last year, Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) conducted one of the world’s largest studies of attitudes about dementia as part of ongoing efforts to help reduce stigma and raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease, the most common cause. dementia. Almost 70,000 people from 155 countries, including Qatar, participated in the survey.
The findings were published in the 2019 World Alzheimer’s Report: Attitudes Toward Dementia. Some of the more notable findings included that nearly 80 percent of the general public is concerned about developing dementia at some point in their life and that one in four people think there is nothing they can do to prevent dementia.
The report also revealed that 35 percent of caregivers worldwide said they had concealed a dementia diagnosis from a family member. More than 50 percent of caregivers worldwide say their health has suffered as a result of their responsibilities as caregivers, even when expressing positive feelings about their role. Additionally, nearly 62 percent of healthcare providers worldwide think that dementia is part of normal aging, and about 40 percent of the general public believe that people with dementia are ignored by doctors and nurses.
ADI research has shown that, globally, two out of three people believe that there is little or no understanding of dementia in their country. The impact of World Alzheimer’s Month is growing, but the stigma and misinformation surrounding dementia remain a global challenge.
Dr Hanadi Al Hamad, leader of the Qatar National Health Strategy for Healthy Aging and Medical Director of Rumailah Hospital and the Qatar Rehabilitation Institute, has been a key driving force in the development of geriatric care services and Alzheimer’s awareness in Qatar. Dr. Al Hamad is also the WHO representative for the care of the elderly in the state of Qatar, the focal point of the Global Dementia Observatory (GDO) and an executive member of the European Association for Medicine on Aging.
“While awareness of dementia is increasing around the world, especially in higher-income countries, understanding of Alzheimer’s remains low. This has often had a negative impact on patients living with Alzheimer’s, their families and communities, said Dr. Al Hamad.
“Older people with Alzheimer’s often have multiple medical comorbidities, meaning they have one or more additional diseases or conditions that need medical attention. However, the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease can often make it more difficult to provide even simple care. Families often delay seeking medical support for a family member with Alzheimer’s, or delay obtaining a diagnosis due to stigma. However, although there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, an early diagnosis can help individuals and their families to be better prepared and better cope with the progression of the disease. It can also help them manage other health problems more effectively, added Dr. Al Hamad.
Caregivers, often family members, can be overwhelmed by the challenges of caring for a family member in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s dementia. They often feel embarrassed or in conflict about asking for help or advice because they feel compelled to care for their parents or other elderly relative. We have established a national helpline to provide confidential information and counseling to patients living with Alzheimer’s disease and their families. The RAHA Alzheimer’s and Memory Services helpline is available at 4026 2222 between 8 am and 3 pm, Sunday through Thursday, Dr. Al Hamad said.
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