As the number of people with dementia in Luxembourg is expected to rise significantly, the 24th Memory Walk on Saturday aims to foster solidarity and challenge the stigma that still surrounds the disease.
The 24th Memory Walk will be held on Saturday at Place Clairefontaine in Luxembourg City, offering a public show of solidarity with those affected by dementia and their families ahead of World Alzheimer's Day on Sunday.
More than just a walk, the event is designed to raise public awareness. According to official figures, approximately 9,000 people in Luxembourg live with a form of dementia. While Alzheimer's is the most common, there are about 50 different forms of the disease, each with varying effects and symptoms. Their commonality is the progressive degeneration of the brain's nerve cells.
The event will feature three guided tours along a curated route. Participants will first visit Place Guillaume II to learn the origins of its Luxembourgish name, "Knuedler". The walk will then continue past the Grand Ducal Palace and the Chamber of Deputies, with commentary provided on both historic buildings. Finally, the tour will include a ride on the panoramic lift to the Corniche before concluding back at Place Clairefontaine.
The day also serves as an opportunity for public education. Lydie Diederich, Director General of the Luxembourg Alzheimer's Association (ALA), notes that specialists will be on-site to provide information about the disease in an informal setting. The Dementia Information Centre and the Ministry of Health's PDP prevention programme will also have representatives available.
Although dementia is not currently curable, a number of medications can help slow its progression depending on the specific diagnosis. Experts therefore stress the importance of seeking medical advice as early as possible and not dismissing potential symptoms. While the disease is more prevalent in older age, it can also affect younger individuals.
The operational director of the ALA, Denis Mancini, underscores the often-hidden nature of the disease, noting that the youngest resident at their care facility in Erpeldange is just 45 years old. He laments that dementia remains a societal taboo but acknowledges the association receives strong political support.
Although the national dementia plan was "unfortunately" not extended, Mancini confirmed the ALA remains in active discussions with authorities to potentially relaunch the initiative, aiming to bring greater prominence to the issue. A central part of their message is that individuals with dementia can and should continue to participate in daily life. "They do not need to be hidden away," Mancini emphasised.
This is a core philosophy the ALA intends to champion more vigorously in the future, as the number of people living with dementia is projected to triple worldwide over the next 25 years. The association warns that this rising prevalence, coupled with a declining number of doctors, presents a significant challenge for society.
Those seeking more information can meet with ALA representatives on Saturday between 11am and 5pm at Place Clairefontaine in Luxembourg City.
