21 September marks World Alzheimer’s Day, a significant event that seeks to raise awareness of dementia, a collective term for various brain-affecting diseases, with Alzheimer’s being the most prevalent.
In Luxembourg, dementia affected over 7,500 people in 2022. Though generally characterised by memory issues, its manifestation can be diverse, ranging from difficulties in daily life to significant behavioural changes.
However, despite these challenges, it is possible to provide moments of joy and connection for those affected. In line with this, the Luxembourg Alzheimer’s Association (ALA) is organising the 22nd ‘Memory Walk’ on 23 September to spread knowledge and understanding about the disease.
Dementia is a collective term for various diseases affecting the brain. Alzheimer’s, a neurodegenerative disease, is the most common cause of dementia and increasingly impairs brain functions.
In some people, it manifests as forgetfulness, problems with orientation, or difficulty finding words. In many cases, however, it is a mixture of different symptoms that further includes unusual behaviour, difficulties in managing daily life, distrust, and lack of motivation.
Symptoms worsen over time and there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. But, there are other dementia-related illnesses that are partially or completely curable if treated correctly. This includes, for example, dementia that occurs as a result of metabolic disease. Alzheimer’s in particular tends to occur at an older age.
The number of people suffering from dementia is increasing as the population ages and more than 50 million people worldwide are thought to be affected by it. However, there are no concrete figures as the disease is not always diagnosed. In Luxembourg, more than 7,500 people were affected by dementia in 2022.
Relatives and friends of people with Alzheimer’s are also affected by the disease as they have to live with the patient’s resulting behavioural changes. As the disease progresses, the affected person frequently loses the ability to recognise people, which can be particularly difficult for family members.
However, it is still possible to offer people with dementia joyful moments despite their neurological limitations. This can be done through movement, affirmation, empathetic communication, or relaxation. Similarly, one can use existing memories and consider the person’s potential to recognise things.
For example, if the person has always enjoyed walking, one can encourage them to find the right shoes for a stroll through nature. Or, if the person has been a hairdresser all their life, one might make them happy by taking them to have their hair done.
The 22nd edition of the traditional ‘Memory Walk’ event, organised by the the Luxembourg Alzheimer’s Association (ALA) to inform and raise awareness among the general public, will this year take place at Place Clairefontaine in the capital, from 11am to 5pm, on Saturday 23 September.
The theme of this edition is ‘The World Upside Down’. The walk itself consists of a 40-minute guided tour of the capital, which begins at Place Clairefontaine and ends at Place de la Constitution. Tours, which are accessible to people with reduced mobility, depart at 1pm, 2.30pm, and 3.30pm. Participants are asked to register online beforehand.
For further information on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, please consult the websites of the ALA and the Dementia Information Centre, both available in French and German.
