September is World Alzheimer’s Month, a global annual campaign that aims to “raise awareness and challenge the stigma that surrounds dementia” – and World Alzheimer’s Day falls on 21 September. Here’s a closer look at this disease which affects millions of people, and their families, worldwide.

Let’s talk about dementia
This year, the World Alzheimer’s Month campaign is encouraging everyone to talk about dementia, which is a “collective name for progressive brain syndromes which affect memory, thinking, behaviour and emotion.” And while there are more than 100 types, “the most well-known form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, which accounts for 50-60% of all cases.”

With that in mind, here are some key facts and statistics on the disease.

• There are over 50 million dementia sufferers worldwide.
• Someone in the world develops dementia every 3 seconds.
• The number of people living with dementia is expected to rise to 152 million by 2050.
• Early symptoms of the disease may include loss of memory, difficulty performing familiar tasks, personality changes and problems with language.
• Approximately 2.2 million South Africans live with some form of dementia (2011 census).

(Sources: worldalzmonth.org, alz.co.uk, alzheimers.org.za)

Reduce your risk
While there is currently no cure for dementia, World Alzheimer’s Month outlines five ways in which you can take care of your health and reduce your risk of developing the disease:

1. Look after your heart
2. Be physically active
3. Follow a healthy diet
4. Challenge your brain
5. Enjoy social activities

Find out more
If you’d like to find out more about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as resources available in your area, visit the Alzheimer’s South Africa website at alzheimers.org.za.

A Partnership for Life
Continuous care is part of our Partnership for Life promise at Evergreen Lifestyle Villages. And while we can’t predict the future, our friendly, experienced nursing staff are always available to help residents manage it, whether in one of our specialised frail care centres or in the comfort and familiar surroundings of their homes.