Letter to Health Ministers

Dear Health Minister,

We Can Make a Difference - World Alzheimer's Day 2005

Wednesday 21 September is World Alzheimer's Day. Across the globe thousands of people will gather to mark the day and show that everyone, including you, can make a difference to lives of people with dementia and their carers.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia - a term used to describe different brain disorders that affect memory, thinking, behaviour and emotion. Dementia knows no social, economic, ethnic or geographical boundaries. People across every society are affected by the disease: from the person with dementia themselves to the policeman who finds a confused person in the supermarket.

Dementia is surrounded by myth and stigma, and is still thought by many to be a normal part of ageing. ADI is committed to challenging such negative public perceptions to ensure that people with dementia and their families do not face fear and embarrassment, enabling them to be open about the difficult issues they face. Currently, there is no cure for dementia. Many people do not get a diagnosis because they believe nothing can be done to help them. In reality, much can and is being done to enhance the quality of life for people with dementia and their carers. Organisations like Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) provide advice, information and support that make a real difference.

Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) was established in 1984 and is the international federation of Alzheimer associations. We represent associations in 69 countries worldwide and are in official relations with the World Health Organization.

World Alzheimer's Day, one of our key activities, plays an important part in raising awareness about dementia. Last year 60 countries participated in Memory Walks, public forums and street leafleting campaigns. Since it was launched in 1994, World Alzheimer's Day has lead to an increased recognition of dementia as a disease around the world.

No matter where they live, most people with dementia are cared for by their families. People with dementia and their carers need practical, emotional and financial help. This support can come from different sources, including governments such as yours. The provision of these resources is vital to ensure the families can care for their loved ones. Yet still, support is a geographical lottery, varying greatly from one country to another.

I hope you will join us in working towards improving the lives of people with dementia and their carers by providing them with the support services that they need.

Yours sincerely


Elizabeth Rimmer
Executive Director

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