World Alzheimer’s Day 2021 – know dementia, know Alzheimer’s

Posted: 21/09/2021

Every September, people from around the world come together to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and challenge the stigma around dementia. World Alzheimer's Month is a global opportunity to educate the public, demystifying dementia and encouraging support of those with the disease. The focus of this year’s campaign is the power of knowledge.

World Alzheimer’s Day takes place on 21 September and is part of World Alzheimer's Month. The theme for the event in 2021 is 'Know dementia, know Alzheimer's'.

Designed to improve public understanding of the condition and highlight the difficulties faced by those experiencing it, World Alzheimer’s Day provides a chance for people and organisations to demonstrate how we can overcome these challenges and help people live well with dementia.

Worldwide, dementia is one of the biggest issues we face, with nearly 50 million people affected by it. To tackle this global problem, Alzheimer’s Society say we need to work together, and to collaborate and share best practice with one another.

In the UK alone, NHS data shows that there are more than 850,000 people who have dementia. One in 14 people over the age of 65 have dementia, and the condition affects 1 in 6 people over 80.

Alzheimer's Society is encouraging everyone to learn more about dementia. They have factsheets and booklets about dementia available to read online, download, or order. 

Commenting on World Alzheimer's Day, Lucie Prothero, senior associate in the clinical negligence team, who specialises in elderly care, said: “A diagnosis of dementia can be devastating to both the person concerned and their loved ones. Although the symptoms of dementia are progressive and on an often-unknown timescale, many people with dementia can live full lives with the right support.

“As so many of us will be affected by dementia, it is essential that we improve public awareness and understanding of the condition. There is support available from charities such as Alzheimer’s Society and Dementia UK, which can greatly improve the lives of sufferers and their families.

“Over recent years we have seen an increase in enquiries from families of dementia sufferers who are unhappy about the way their loved ones have been cared for in hospital or community-care settings. If the right care and support is not available, it can result in devastating outcomes, including serious falls, dehydration and malnourishment, or pressure sores. Taking care of today’s dementia sufferers needs to remain a health and social care priority, and we fully support the campaign during #WorldAlzheimersMonth to demystify dementia and encourage proper support for those who are affected by it.”

For more information on elderly care claims click here.

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