World Alzheimer's Day events 2011

Faces of dementia

Argentina

The second biochemical congress of the South East, an Alzheimer’s walk and photo exhibition.

Australia

Activities for Dementia Awareness Week included presentations from Prof John Breiner from Canada on the topic of early diagnosis and the launch of new publications including Worried about your memory?, Timely diagnosis: Can we do better? A Parliamentary Friends of Dementia event took place, as well as Mind your Mind information sessions, information stands at libraries and hospitals, a cake festival, an art exhibition, memory walks, a television campaign, carer support group activities, memory services and memory van visits.

Belgium

The annual Alzheimer Cafe day took place on 21 September and a group of people with early-onset dementia gave testimonies at an annual conference.

Bermuda

A wine-tasting reception.

Bulgaria

Mass information campaign with materials distributed at medical centres, clubs for retired people, residential care institutions and non-governmental organisations in Sofia, Varna, Dimitrovgrad, Bourgas and other small settlements. A press conference and media event also took place as well as an excursion for people with dementia and a drawing exhibition. Letters were also sent to government ministers requesting reimbursement for dementia medication.

Canada

The national Coffee Break fundraiser was tied in with World Alzheimer's Day. A large amount of media coverage was received and Alzheimer's Disease International Chairman, Daisy Acosta, was interviewed on national radio, prompting a large volume of telephone calls.

China

National awards for excellence in demetia care were held, as well as public lectures, a dementia caregiver meeting, strong media coverage, and a new book on smarter caregiving was published. A memory consultation service was made available in more than 120 hospital with a total of 10,000 individuals being screened.

Cuba

A national meeting and dementia workshops took place with memory walks in the country's main cities.

Denmark

A 'flashmob' event was organised in Copenhagen Central Station.

Dominican Republic

A public event was held in a central square in Santo Domingo.

Germany

More than 250 local activities took place across the country.

Gibraltar

An information stand was put up in the town centre and as a result Gibraltar's Alzheimer's association received an increased number of enquiries.

India

A mass mailing awareness campaign took place as well as memory walks, seminars, training programmes and screening camps across the country.

Iran

Twenty-five information stands were put up across Tehran. A sport and cultural event, a film screening and an event in Iran Alzheimer Association's care centre for people with dementia were among the activities. A national conference was also arranged and a large number of new volunteers were recruited by the Association.

Japan

A competition to find a national slogan was developed with 108 entries received. Information stands were open in various parts of the country and lectures ran throughout September and October.

Macedonia

A number of meetings and lectures took place.

Malaysia

A range of events including a Memory Walk, public talk and workshop. The Memory Walk attracted more than 400 participants. Various regional events took place including memory screening and exercise sessions.

Mauritius

A radio campaign, public conference and training programmes were among the activities organised.

Mexico

An event took place in a poor community in Guerrero and was supported by the local government for the first time. A number of other events were held across the country.

New Zealand

A media campaign was launched with a large amount of coverage. A new website was launched with the aim of humanising dementia by giving people the opportunity to share their experiences, thoughts and stories.

Pakistan

Activities included a Memory Walk, Interschool Sports Festival, World Alzheimer's Day Basketball Challenge, an awareness-raising park show, a World Alzheimer's Day dinner, film screening, information stalls and the launch of a new guide book for carers.

Puerto Rico

A memory walk supported by the local health department.

Romania

Local activities took place around the country and included a photo exhibition and a free memory evaluation service in pharmacies.

Scotland

Opening of a new dementia research centre in Edinburgh.

Singapore

Three Public Forums for the general public and carers were conducted in English, Mandarin and Malay. The Forums introduced a person-centred care approach to dementia care with speakers including geriatricians, psychologists and family carers. A photographer competition received more than 50 entries and a photo exhibition was held in conjunction with the Public Forums. A Memory Walk took place with over 4,000 participants.

Slovak Republic

Events included an annual conference, new book launch and media campaign.

South Africa

A variety of activities including awareness talks around the country, a high tea, a tour and exhibition at a care service centre where a Snoezelen room was also available. This room has now been made a permanent feature.

South Korea

The country's first Alzheimer's Cafe took place alongside supporter's education and presentations of various therapies.

Sri Lanka

An 11-week awareness and fundraising campaign included lectures, a memory clinic service at the new dementia centre, a print media awareness campaign, musical concerts and a memory walk.

Syria

Information was disseminated to the public via a workshop and in-person.

Trinidad and Tobago

Activities included seminars, awareness programmes for children, a fundraising tea, memory walk and outreach programme.

Tunisia

An awareness event including information dissemination took place with specialists offering advice.

Turkey

Training for police officers helping them to recognise the signs of dementia were conducted. Other activities included a performance of a stage play and an Alzheimer's essay competition.

Uruguay

Activities around the country including a Walk of Remembrance and balloon release.

USA

The first World Alzheimer's Month took place with a campaign entitled The End of Alzheimer's Starts With Me. Individual stories were used to encourage others to take action. Celebrities took part in a week-long series of Who Wants to be a Millionaire raising money for the Alzheimer's Association.

Zimbabwe

Information stands were available outside supermarkets and the national Alzheimer's association was involved in the Island Hospice walk.