Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia were the second leading cause of death among women in Cyprus in 2021 and the sixth among men, according to World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates cited by the Ithaki Foundation to mark World Alzheimer’s Day.
The mortality rate stood at 49.9 deaths per 100,000 population among women, compared with 26.8 deaths per 100,000 population among men, the Foundation said.
Worldwide, more than 57 million people were living with dementia in 2021, with almost 10 million new cases recorded every year, roughly one every three seconds, according to WHO figures cited by the Foundation. The number of people living with dementia is expected to exceed 130 million by 2050.
The Foundation said the figures underline the need for greater awareness, prevention, early diagnosis and meaningful support for people living with dementia and their families, describing dementia as one of the biggest public health challenges of our time.
Ithaki Foundation President Isavella Karaoli said dementia affects the entire family, not only the person diagnosed. “Dementia doesn’t affect only the person diagnosed, but the whole family and society,” she said, adding that early diagnosis, appropriate support and proper information can substantially improve quality of life for people living with dementia and their carers.
The Foundation noted that dementia is not a normal part of ageing, and that Alzheimer’s disease is its most common cause. While age and genetic predisposition cannot be changed, it said cardiovascular health, physical activity, social and mental engagement, managing diabetes and hypertension, protecting against head injuries, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can all help reduce the risk, alongside early recognition of symptoms.
The Foundation also called for an end to the stigma and social exclusion faced by people with dementia. “We talk openly about dementia, we listen without judging and we support without stigmatising,” it said, adding that accurate information helps dismantle myths and misconceptions.
To mark World Alzheimer’s Day on September 21, the Ithaki Foundation is organising a series of awareness and information events. An awareness walk takes place at Molos in Limassol on September 12 at 18:00, under the auspices of Limassol Mayor Giannis Armeftis, with a participation fee of five euros including a commemorative cap. The Foundation’s fourth Scientific Symposium, titled “The Power of Rehabilitation in Dementia: Nursing at the Centre of the Interdisciplinary Approach,” runs from 08:00 to 15:00 on September 18 at the Tassos Papadopoulos Building, Amphitheatre 1, at the Cyprus University of Technology.
A further awareness walk takes place at Eleftherias Square in Nicosia on September 26 at 10:30, under the auspices of Nicosia Mayor Charalambos Prountzos, while another walk is set for October 3 at 10:30 on Grivas Digenis Avenue in Nicosia, outside the Cyta building, setting off at 11:00 towards Laiki Geitonia. In addition, weekly information seminars on dementia will run every Wednesday from October 7 to November 4 (excluding October 28) at the European University Cyprus, Room 010, from 18:00 to 20:00.
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