KAROO NEWS - Today, 21 September, marks World Alzheimer’s Day, which aims to raise awareness and challenge the stigma that surrounds dementia.
According to Alzheimer’s South Africa, the worldwide campaign was started in 2012. The day forms part of World Alzheimer’s Month, which takes place in September.
Alzheimer’s South Africa states that the disease is the most common cause of dementia.
“Dementia is not a normal part of ageing. It knows no social, economic, ethnic or geographical boundaries,” says the organisation. “Although individuals experience dementia in their own way, eventually those affected are unable to care for themselves.”
Here are a few facts about Alzheimer’s, as shared in a statement by the South African Government:
- Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. It accounts for 50 to 80% of dementia cases.
- Alzheimer's is not a normal part of ageing. Up to 5% of people with the disease have early-onset Alzheimer's (also known as younger-onset), which often appears when someone is in their 40s or 50s.
- Alzheimer's worsens over time. Alzheimer's is a progressive disease, where dementia symptoms gradually worsen over a number of years.
- Alzheimer's has no current cure, but treatments for symptoms are available and research continues.
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