The fourth World Alzheimer’s Month will take place this month with awareness raising events taking place worldwide. The theme this year is ‘Remember Me’.

National Awarensss Days.com is letting people know about the special events.

Every year since 1994 Alzheimer organisations have observed World Alzheimer’s Day on 21 September and the day will continue to play an important and key role during the World Alzheimers Month events.

Named after neurologist Alois Alzheimer the disease causes progressive damage on the brain. The disease is also associated with speech and language difficulties which can affect the person’s ability to communicate with family and friends. Activities will focus on reducing the stigma which is associated with dementia and making communities more dementia-friendly.

Activities during the month will include educational seminars, workshops and social events for people with dementia and their carers.

People can visit the official website for details of events taking place on a country by country basis, for lots of inspiration and ideas about how to get involved this year.

The Memory Walk is an initiative organised by the UK based Alzheimer’s Society to show their commitment to remembering those who they have lost. All sponsorship funds raised at each Alzheimer’s walk will go towards the work of the Alzheimer’s Society in that specific area.

As part of World Alzheimer’s Month Alzheimer’s Disease International will also launch a report detailing the effects dementia has on the global economy and the true impact dementia has on our societies and health care systems.

Alzheimer’s Disease International is encouraging people all around the world to learn to spot the signs of dementia, but also not to forget about loved ones who are living with dementia, or those who may have passed away.

The impact of September’s campaign is growing, but the stigmatisation and misinformation that surrounds dementia remains a global problem.

Key facts:

• Dementia is a term used to describe different brain disorders that affect memory, thinking, behaviour and emotion.
• Early symptoms of dementia can include memory loss, difficultly performing familiar tasks, problems with language and changes in personality.
• There is currently no cure for dementia, but a range of support is available for people with dementia and their carers.
• Dementia knows no social, economic, or ethnic boundaries.
• Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia. Other causes include vascular disease, dementia with Lewy bodies and fronto-temporal dementia.
• There are currently estimated to be 44 million people worldwide living with dementia. The number of people affected is set to rise to over 135 million by 2050.
• There is one new case of dementia worldwide every four seconds.

For more information go to National Awareness Days or World Alzheimer’s Month

Written by Rachel Harrison, speech and language therapist, on behalf of Integrated Treatment Services.