Raising awareness, sharing, supporting people with dementia

Delegates attending the Program

Attending the program were Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Trung Anh, Party Committee Secretary, Director of the Central Geriatric Hospital; Professor, Dr. Pham Thang, former President of the Vietnam Geriatrics Association; MSc. Nguyen Xuan Lap, Member of the Standing Committee, Head of the Elderly Care Committee of the Vietnam Elderly Association; Mr. Yuki Inoue, General Director of Eisai Vietnam Company - the accompanying unit; leaders of the Hospital, Vietnam Geriatrics Association, Hanoi Elderly Association; representatives of Nursing Centers, Elderly Care Centers; agencies, businesses and elderly members from wards, elderly people being cared for at elderly care facilities in the city.

Ceremony scene

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Trung Anh delivered an emotional opening speech: The program is held in the context of the country struggling with the historic Yagi storm. The organizers would like to express their deepest sympathies to the people who suffered losses. The impact of the storm not only caused material losses but also had a profound impact on the lives and spirits of the people. We believe that with timely and dedicated support from the Government, local authorities, organizations and communities, these difficulties will be effectively resolved and life will return to normal.

The most common dementia, Alzheimer's disease, is becoming an urgent challenge to global public health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), dementia is now considered one of the most important public health problems not only because of its severity but also because of its profound impact on patients, their families and the whole society. In Vietnam, with a rapidly aging population, dementia is posing many great challenges.

NCT shares at the program

As a leading specialized hospital in the field of elderly health care, the Central Geriatric Hospital always focuses on implementing activities to raise community awareness of dementia. Through practical activities in response to the Alzheimer's Prevention Action Month and World Alzheimer's Day, the community will raise awareness, promote preventive measures, care and support for the elderly to protect their memory; encourage the elderly to seek early diagnosis of dementia; together build a friendly community where people with dementia are sympathized, respected and supported.

NCT excitedly participates in the program

Speaking at the Conference, Mr. Nguyen Xuan Lap emphasized: In recent years, the Party and State have had many policies to protect and care for the elderly. However, in the context of the rapidly aging population, all levels, sectors and functional agencies need to promptly advise the Secretariat to summarize and issue a new Directive to replace Directive No. 59-CT/TU dated September 27, 1995 on elderly care; amend the Law on the Elderly to meet the requirements of the task of protecting, caring for and promoting the role of the elderly in the current period. The Central Committee of the Vietnam Association of the Elderly also hopes that all levels and sectors will continue to pay attention to supporting, creating conditions, organizing and training a team of nurses, medical staff and social workers to professionally care for the elderly. The Association of the Elderly at all levels will continue to advise Party committees and authorities, mobilize social resources to care for the material, spiritual and health of the elderly, creating conditions for the elderly to have a better life.

Delegates take souvenir photos

According to experts, dementia, the most common of which is Alzheimer's disease, is a syndrome that causes decline in many areas of cognition and directly affects daily work and activities. Dementia not only causes memory loss but also has a serious impact on the quality of life of both the patient and their family. Patients gradually forget not only recent events but also familiar memories, from important milestones to loved ones. As the condition progresses, people with dementia have difficulty performing daily activities such as self-care, financial management, or even recognizing people around them. This not only reduces their quality of life but also puts great pressure on their families and caregivers. However, in Vietnam, public awareness of dementia is still limited, leading to late diagnosis, increasing the burden of care and finances for families.

Next to the candy stall

Alzheimer’s Action Month and World Alzheimer’s Day, which take place each September, are an opportunity to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s and related dementias. The goal is to build a welcoming, supportive community for people with dementia, and to emphasize that they and their families are not alone in this difficult battle.

At the Program, the Organizing Committee has set aside space, created a playground and organized many meaningful and interesting activities, such as: To he molding contest with the theme "Preserving memories"; instant photo activities; memory cafe with activities of giving out free coffee, juice and lucky spin. In particular, the Central Geriatric Hospital implemented a free screening program for people aged 50 and over at the Memory and Dementia Research Center. According to the Organizing Committee, the Program does not only stop at raising awareness, but also sends a message about the importance of screening for early detection of dementia. Through that, we can have timely interventions, helping patients and their families continue to preserve memories, and maintain the best possible quality of life.

Source: https://ngaymoionline.com.vn/nang-cao-nhan-thuc-chia-se-ho-tro-nguoi-mac-benh-sa-sut-tri-tue-54952.html