World Alzheimer's Day™ 2003

In Perfect Partnership

[photo] ADI participated in Alzheimer's Scotland tea day by having a tea party

The success of World Alzheimer's Day™ continues to grow each year - and 2003 was no exception as 56 countries organised events which generated national, regional and local media coverage all around the world.

The theme 'In Perfect Partnership' drew attention to the importance of people with dementia and their carers forming a good relationship with their doctor and taking an active role in their healthcare. Many associations organised seminars, conferences and public consultations focused on the theme, and appeared on television, ensuring the message was taken to as wide an audience as possible.

[photo] Doctors were available for consultations in Sian PR China

A growing feature of World Alzheimer's Day is the participation of Alzheimer associations in a single event that unifies the Alzheimer movement on this international day. This year, 17 associations organised a walk in their country known as Memory Walk including Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, Pakistan, Luxembourg, Hong Kong SAR, Turkey, Singapore, Brazil, UK, Belgium, Thailand, Argentina, Chinese Taipei, India, Puerto Rico, Austria and Sri Lanka.

Other events included film screenings, tea and coffee parties, leafleting campaigns, art exhibitions, parliamentary debates, balloon releases and information displays.

[photo] Ligue Alzheimer's Memory Walk in Belgium was part of a cross border campaign

The sense of unity and being part of something bigger has been an important component in the successful growth of World Alzheimer's Day. This concept was taken one step further by the German-speaking associations in Europe (Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Belgium and Austria) who collaborated on a cross-border campaign 'Alzheimer's has no frontiers'. Each association organised its own programme of events drawing attention to the impact of dementia in neighbouring German-speaking countries.

[photo] Members of the Alzheimer's Association of Guyana attended a church service in the country's largest Catholic church

Church and religious ministers continue to play an important role in reaching communities with health care messages. In some countries, such as Nigeria, this is the only way of reaching local communities. Other countries including Aruba, Germany, Hungary, Guyana, the Bahamas and Austria worked closely with the church to prepare special Sunday services.

The impact of observing World Alzheimer's Day

This is the ninth year ADI has co-ordinated World Alzheimer's Day and most associations are now enjoying the longer-term benefits of participating in this global raising awareness day. Impacts include an increase in recognition of Alzheimer's disease as a disease, growth in understanding of what the Alzheimer association is all about, and better recognition and respect from government and media.

More images from World Alzheimer's Day 2003 around the world are available.

Publications for the "In Perfect Partnership campaign

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