World Alzheimer’s day is observed on September 21st every year. The day aims to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease. This disease is a form of dementia, in which your brain functions to deteriorate over time. It may lead to forgetfulness and ultimately be fatal.
The degeneration of the brain is slow and starts with disruptions in memory, cognition and day-to-day functions. People with Alzheimer’s may forget things in the early stages. It can deteriorate to a point where they may fail to recognise people close to them. In advanced stages, people lose the memory of their daily functions, and it can cause death.
Let us talk a bit about Alzheimer’s disease and why being aware of it is crucial.
More than 50 million people have Alzheimer’s disease the world over, according to an estimate by The Bright Focus Foundation. This number is expected to rise to 75 million by 2030, and 152 million by 2050. Hence, Alzheimer’s disease is a serious cause of concern. This makes the International Alzheimer's day all the more important.
Even though the awareness about Alzheimer’s disease is on the rise, the stigmatisation and misinformation surrounding the disease remains a cause of concern. The government, the society, and individuals need to act to ensure that the patients are given proper care and accepted, rather than being shunned. Also, being aware of the risks and taking measures to prevent the disease is also equally important. These are some of the reasons is the main aim of World Alzheimer’s day.
What can you do about it?
As you already know, the World Alzheimer’s day is observed to raise awareness about the disease, the patients, and how you can reduce the risk.Here are some things that you can do-

- Make yourselves aware of the disease by reading about it, visiting patients suffering from it, and talking to experts and talk to your friends and loved ones about the disease.
- Try to raise awareness in the society at your level by talking to your friends and loved ones about the disease, and spread awareness via social media with your connections.
- Attend and support various programs organised for raising awareness about Alzheimer’s disease by government and NGOs.
- Support those who are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease near you. This includes giving them company, ensuring that they are getting proper care, and make them feel included.
- Adopt a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of developing the disease, and talk to people about the same.
How can critical illness insurance help?
Alzheimer’s disease may require frequent visits to the hospital and home-care as well. Also, the treatment for Alzheimer’s is costly. Hence, you need to be prepared financially.
A critical illness insurance plan is a standalone insurance plan that offers you financial aid if you are diagnosed with any of the illnesses, which are covered under the plan. You can use the critical illness benefit for your treatment, to meet the daily expenses or anywhere else, as required.
It can reduce the financial strain that may be caused to your family if you are diagnosed with this disease. Hence, you must consider getting acritical illness cover for yourself and your loved ones.