This year’s ADI’s members in the Asia Pacific region partook in a wide variety of activities to raise awareness for dementia during this year’s World Alzheimer’s Month. The following is a snapshot of some of the key events that our member associations organised, and showcase the region’s dedication to raising awareness and reducing the stigma surrounding dementia.
ADI’s DY Suharya, who oversees the ADI members in the Asia Pacific region shares her thoughts on the regional activities during World Alzheimer’s Month 2024.
The Asia Pacific regional members continue to demonstrate their solid commitment to the the World’s Alzheimer Month campaign by engaging in hundreds of advocacy awareness raising activities across the region in September. The partnership between civil society, medical professionals, governments, private sector, academic institutions, and many others have all been strengthened in an alignment to a collective goal: putting people with dementia at the centre of everything that we do. All the activities in the Asia Pacific region this month have been conducted with a single purpose: to improve quality life for people with dementia and family carers. We believe in the spirit of engagement and empowerment and only through working together can we achieve our goal, to support all people with dementia and their carers and reduce dementia stigma. The time to act on dementia is now and it’s been so wonderful to see a variety of events happening in so many countries in the region.
Emily Ong from Singapore, Li Yu Tang from Taiwan and Jacqueline Wong from Malaysia proudly launched their Living well with Dementia: Voices of Asia e-Book (website) commemorating World’s Alz Month and World’s Alz Day. This is the very first e-Book production with 20 stories involving person with dementia and family carers as authors from 13 countries in the region lead by person with dementia Advocate and ADI Board Member, Emily Ong.
Australia
From marathon involving hundreds of runners in Sydney to special screening moving of Everybody’s Oma created by Jason Van Genderen were held in Australia. Dementia Australia’s organizing Dementia Action Week 16-22 September aiming to create a Dementia Friendly Future in Australia. Act now for a dementia friendly future (the theme).
Brunei
In Brunei a mental health session was hosted by Majelis Ilmu during World Alzheimer’s Month. A dementia diagnosis can have a large impact on a person’s mental health, and sessions like these are essential for creating a more informed and supportive community. Demensia Brunei also held a memory walk for carers in collaboration with Jerudong Park.
China
Several talks and awareness raising sessions conducted in all cities in China in September’s World’s Alzheimer Month. Alzheimer’s Disease Chinese is also will be hosting the regional meeting and conference in Xi’an China in end of October.
Hong Kong
Alzheimer’s Disease Association Hong Kong conducted a seminar to support family caregivers, brain health carnival at Metro City Shopping Mall and provided cognitive stimulating game booths, brain health talk, brain health screening and conducted press conference advocating for the rights of employees living with dementia and their caregivers in the workplace. The Equal Opportunities Commission of HK Government published a practical guide for employer on how to support employees with dementia at work.
India
In India, World Alzheimer’s Month activities took place all over the country. In Goa, the Atal Sethu bridge was illuminated in purple in solidarity with World Alzheimer’s Month, while in New Delhi the Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Society of India (ARDSI) chairperson Renu Vohra attended an event hosted by the National Institute of Social Defence and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. There were a number of walks across the country – in Mysore, a memory walk was organised on the eve of World Alzheimer’s Day, which was attended by 850 students, staff, and members of the general public; and in Delhi there was an awareness walk and trekking followed by a talk in Hindi on dementia awareness. Additionally there were a variety of other activities across the country during the month including music therapy, caregiver education programs, free clinics, and more in an effort to build community and come together to raise awareness on dementia. 27-28 September ARDSI held a successful national conference in Pune with approximately 300 participants from all states in India.
Indonesia
In Indonesia, over 60 activities took place across 28 chapters reaching out to approximately 10,000 peoplepromoted dementia awareness through a variety of initiatives like yoga for people living with dementia, to educational, caregivers counselling and meaningful engagement programs at the newly launched Alzheimer’s Indonesia (ALZI) Academy and Healthy Ageing Centre supported by Atma Jaya University. More than 30 media reports covered the Healthy Ageing Centre’s launch and the Ministry of Health launched a dementia platform on the national website in a collaborative effort with ALZI.
Jakarta’s National Monument was illuminated purple, as a symbol of support for World Alzheimer’s Month and underscoring Indonesia’s commitment to raising awareness to dementia.
Japan
The Kyoto Prefectural Government Office building showcased its support for World Alzheimer’s Month and was lit with orange lights as a visual reminder of the importance of dementia awareness, but also as an encouragement for local communities to engage in discussion around dementia prevention and stigma. In September 2024, the Government of Japan officially has approved and acknowledged World’s Alzheimer’s Month and World’s Alzheimer Day as the official national days to be celebrated across Japan.
Maldives
In the Maldives, the Alzheimer’s Society of Maldives launched a new dementia awareness video this month. As well, the STELCO building was lit up purple in support of Maldives’ efforts to raise awareness to dementia. Ministry of Health Maldives has officially started their work in developing the Maldives National Dementia Strategy, areas of collaboration with Alzheimer’s Society of Maldives will continue to be strengthened.
Extra Image of the meeting of Maldives Team and Deputy Minister Mohamed Fiznee National Mental Health Dept and Dr. Ahmed Ashraf Director General of Health Services and Aishath Samiya, Permanent Secretary Maldives.
Malaysia
The Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation of Malaysia (ADFM), in collaboration with the Lions Club, organised an early celebration of World Alzheimer’s Day, fostering community engagement and awareness. On the 1st of October, the Malaysian Ministry of Health is set to launch their National Dementia Plan, a culmination of five years of advocacy work. This plan signifies a major step in improving dementia care and support for those living with the condition in the country.
Macau
More than 100 organizations reaching out to more than 500 participants attended the Dementia Friendly Alliance sharing session, health screening and promotion for older adults in the community as well as memory walk, trail race to raise public awareness on dementia hosted by Macau Alzheimer’s Disease Association.
New Zealand
An event called ‘Repositioning Dementia: What’s Next?’ was hosted by Alzheimer’s New Zealand during World Alzheimer’s Month. Additionally, the film “Human Forever” premiered in New Zealand. A film which aimed to raise awareness and provoke thought about the experiences of individuals living with dementia.
Pakistan
In Pakistan, there was a dementia awareness campaign hosted by Faizaya College, which engaged nearly 100 participants in open discussions about dementia. A session in Punjab involved 50 individuals and focused on the critical role of civil society in dementia care, as well as sharing key messages surrounding intervention – ensuring that communities were equipped to handle the unique challenges a dementia diagnosis may present. Additionally, the Day Care Club Punjab hosted meaningful activities to foster greater understanding and support for those affected by dementia and on the last day of September Alzheimer’s Pakistan held a seminar and memory walk at Ghulab Devi Medical College Lahore.
Philippines
Alzheimer’s Disease Association of the Philippines hosted the 16th annual convention Dementia: moving forward to a new era as well as the caregiver experience virtual support group session, ADAP has been very active in their social media as well in promoting the global hashtags #TimeToActOnDementia in all of their platforms.
Singapore
World Alzheimer’s Month activities in Singapore included the launch of their new video campaign, raising dementia awareness. They also held memory walks and several public talks, which focused on younger-onset dementia and the advocacy roles of those living with the condition, which was led by ADI board member and younger-onset dementia advocate, Emily Ong. Dementia Singapore’s activities culminated with a successful Richard Marx concert, attended by over 5,000 people, in support of its fundraising and advocacy initiatives.
Sri Lanka
The Colombo Lotus Tower in Sri Lanka heralding World’s Alz Month illuminated in red as of 1st September 2024 to mark the World’s ALz Month, a press conference was held as well on the same day organized by Lanka Alzheimer Foundation.
Taiwan
The Taiwan Alzheimer’s Disease Association (TADA) concluded an impressive 18-day exhibition for World Alzheimer’s Month, with over 20 individuals living with dementia actively partaking in the design and leadership of the event. This initiative attracted more than 5,000 visitors, showcasing the community’s commitment to supporting dementia awareness-raising activities. To follow up on this initiative, TADA held a conference regarding the collaboration needed for interdisciplinary care to continue the discussions around dementia services and support.
Thailand
The Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders Association of Thailand partnered with various organisations, including the Thailand Health Promotion Foundation, the Faculty of Medicine at Ramathibodi Hospital, and the Manuttangwai Group to hold several events during World Alzheimer’s Month. Activities included dementia risk screenings and workshops aimed at creating dementia-friendly communities, enhancing understanding and support among the public.
