Serena del Mar Hospital committed to Alzheimer's and the challenge of breaking stigmas about dementia
Every year on September 21st, World Alzheimer's Day is commemorated, a date proclaimed by the World Health Organization that has been observed since 1994. Since 2012, Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) has extended this commemoration to the entire month of September as World Alzheimer's Month.
According to the National Institute on Aging (NIH) in the United States, "Alzheimer's disease is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to perform even the simplest tasks. In most people with this disease, the first symptoms appear later in life." Experts estimate that more than 6 million people in the United States, most of them 65 and older, may have dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia in older adults. Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning (thinking, remembering, and reasoning) and behavioral skills to such an extent that it interferes with a person's life and daily activities. According to NIH research, dementia varies in severity from the mildest stage, when it begins by affecting a person's functioning, to the most severe stage, when the person is completely dependent on others for their daily activities.
Given the importance of this date, Dr. Ana María Pardo, a geriatric specialist at the Serena del Mar Hospital in Cartagena, emphasized the significance of raising awareness about dementia.
“September is World Alzheimer's Month, an international campaign to raise awareness about dementia and prevent stigma. There are more than 50 million people diagnosed with dementia worldwide, and this number is estimated to triple by 2050. We must understand that dementia is not simply a part of aging and that almost 40% of cases are preventable,” explained Pardo.
The specialist from Serena del Mar Hospital added that one way to prevent a disease like Alzheimer's is by reducing cardiovascular risk. Implementing healthy lifestyle habits, establishing daily exercise routines, and, very importantly, avoiding social isolation are crucial.
Dr. Pardo emphasized that "senile dementia is a misconception that is outdated because it stigmatizes older people. The reality is that age is one of the main risk factors for Alzheimer's, which is why this type of dementia is more common in the elderly," she concluded.
A Global Fight
From the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Director Carissa F. Etienne asserts that "The lack of knowledge about dementia and how an affected person might behave has contributed to the stigma," adding that talking about it is the first step toward awareness, understanding, and overcoming the barriers that hinder access to diagnosis and care.
According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the stigma associated with dementia can be similar to that associated with other mental health problems, including a lack of available medical treatments and even the attribution of factors like witchcraft. However, there is ample support available throughout the region, and talking and planning can help people live well for as long as possible.
Paola Barbarino, CEO of Alzheimer’s Disease International, addressed the commemoration of this date, emphasizing, “We need people to talk more comfortably about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Dementia is one of the most significant global health and social care crises of the 21st century, with someone developing it every three seconds. But the stigma surrounding it, and the lack of available treatments, means that people delay talking about it and seeking advice and support, losing valuable time.”
In Cartagena, the Serena del Mar Hospital, aware of the misconceptions surrounding Alzheimer's, seeks to raise awareness about dementia in the community to combat stigma through education via its information channels. It also has specialists committed to providing exceptional healthcare to both residents and visitors.
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