World Alzheimer’s Day 2024: Understanding The Many Faces Of Alzheimer’s

Over the years, media has proven to be a fundamental pillar in raising awareness and building community around a cause. Alzheimer’s is one such cause in which different forms of media such as movies, books, TV shows and social media channels have been playing a great role in making the general public aware of the varied aspects of this tragic disease.

While ‘Still Alice’, an American film adaptation, portrays the patient’s heartbreaking perspective of her early-onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis, ‘The Notebook’, the popular rom-com sensation, depicts the pain of seeing your loved one suffering, from the caregiver’s point of view.

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There are many more such pieces of media that showcase the subjective perspectives of Alzheimer’s, a neurodegenerative disease that direly affects not only the patient but also their loved ones. 

Representation Of Alzheimer’s In Media

“My yesterdays are disappearing, and my tomorrows are uncertain, so I live for each day. I live in the moment. I will forget today, but that doesn't mean that today didn't matter.”

 – Lisa Genova, Still Alice

This heart-touching quote perfectly signifies the resilience of patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. The movie ‘Still Alice’ portrays the brave story of Alice, a renowned linguistics professor who tries to cope with her sudden Alzheimer’s diagnosis and her struggle as her condition gradually continues to worsen.

Such unique pieces of media are subjective and spark important conversations that help spread awareness to the audience, ultimately directing more attention towards the need for community support.

World Alzheimer’s Day 2024

World Alzheimer’s Day is annually marked on 21st September as a part of Alzheimer’s Month in an effort to spread awareness about Alzheimer’s and empower those suffering from it. It was first recognized in 1994 by Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI).

The theme for World Alzheimer’s Day 2024 is ‘Know Dementia, Know Alzheimer's’ with the objective of educating the public about its debilitating conditions. The aim is to work towards erasing stigma and show post-diagnosis support to patients living with Alzheimer’s disease.

On this World Alzheimer’s Day, let us learn more about this neurodegenerative disease.

Why Does Alzheimer’s Occur? - Causes And Symptoms

Imagine losing your sense of self, piece by piece, with no power to stop it from happening. Such is the harsh reality of people living with Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s is a brain disorder causing a gradual decline in memory, thinking and other cognitive skills. But why does it occur?

Alzheimer’s is caused by an abnormal buildup of amyloid and tau proteins in the brain, forming plaques and causing brain cells to die. This leads to memory loss and disorientation. Some patients may not even be aware of it in the early stages, which can be very dangerous.

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Here are some early warning signs one must take note of to stay aware:

• Memory Loss: The most common symptom of Alzheimer’s is memory loss. While forgetting the house keys or a friend’s birthday can be disregarded as normal human errors, one must get alert when it happens frequently and worsens with time.

• Reasoning: One may suddenly find themselves unable to express their thoughts or handle complex emotions. Patients get easily frustrated with their inability to understand what is happening around them.

• Awareness Of Surroundings: As the disease progresses further, one may find it difficult to be aware of their surroundings and experience disorientation or a ‘brain fog’.

• Difficulty Recognizing People: After a certain stage, patients are unable to recognize their loved ones and acquaintances, which is heartbreaking. They also start losing their personality and succumb to paranoia.

When one starts experiencing such symptoms, it is highly advisable to consult a neurologist immediately. Additionally, adopting practices such as keeping one’s mind and body active, and eating healthy can help enrich one’s brain health and reduce the chances of Alzheimer’s.

Also Read: World Brain Day: Why is Your Brain Health Important?

Living With Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s is like a ‘slow poison’, making its way into one’s mind and encroaching on its space without any warning. It is a tragic disease that keeps taking away crucial pieces of one’s personality and severely tests familial bonds. 

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This disease takes an extreme mental and emotional toll on both the patient and their loved ones. At this crucial time, it is very important to be a pillar of strength for the patient and have their back. One should remain empathetic to the person suffering from Alzheimer’s and help them live a comfortable life.

Is There A Cure For Alzheimer’s?

Currently, there is no complete cure available for Alzheimer’s. While there are certain medications available to control the progress of the disease, many developments have also taken place in research for a proper cure.

Several experimental clinical trials have been conducted with success. Scientists have been relentlessly researching different ways and unique approaches to the disease. As Alzheimer’s affects people in different ways, the treatment for it becomes varied and highly subjective, which poses a great challenge.

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Therefore, the best way to control Alzheimer’s is to keep one’s symptoms in check and have a strong support system. 

Erasing The Stigma

As patients suffering from Alzheimer’s experience panic and sudden outbursts from time to time, they can often be misunderstood by the people around them. They experience a ‘brain fog’ and disorientation, which can rightfully lead to frustration and anger. Hence, it is important to maintain patience and help them feel comfortable and safe. 

A lack of awareness and empathy can lead to stigma surrounding Alzheimer’s. Many patients are often abandoned by their families post-diagnosis, leaving them confused and disoriented. Lack of a support system can do a lot of damage to the patient and progress the disease faster. 

What You Can Do To Help?

Alzheimer’s patients deserve our empathy and care. The most effective way to help people suffering from Alzheimer’s is to spread awareness about this disease among the general public. The more people gain knowledge about this disease, the more empathetic they will be towards patients.

There are several ways to spread awareness. Using the various media adaptations mentioned above, spark an honest conversation within your circle and make them understand the depths of Alzheimer’s disease. Spread the word about World Alzheimer’s Month and show your support towards several Alzheimer’s organizations.

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Moreover, you can also raise funds for organizations like the ‘Alzheimer's and Related Disorders Society of India’ (ARDSI), working to create an Alzheimer’s-inclusive society. ImpactGuru, India’s leading crowdfunding platform, helps you raise funds for a noble cause with ease! You can start a free fundraiser in minutes and support the cause close to your heart with the help of user-friendly features and an extensive donor community.

To learn more about crowdfunding, click here.

This World Alzheimer’s Day, let us take a stand together and help uplift the people suffering from Alzheimer’s.