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Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Department of Geriatrics and the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) team are collaborating on a program designed to evaluate the increasing effects and growing challenges of dementia on society in Qatar. A key initiative within the extensive program is raising awareness among the general public of this global problem.
A community engagement event will be held on Wednesday 26 October at the Qatar Foundation headquarters building in Education City. The activities are scheduled to take place between 5:30pm and 8pm and will include a series of talks by leading world experts in the study and care of dementia patients. One of the international speakers is Prof. Rowan Harwood, a Consultant Geriatrician and Professor at the University of Nottingham where he has wide clinical and research interests including delirium, dementia, stroke, continence, rehabilitation, falls and clinical ethics.
Visitors can also get first-hand accounts from patients and their carers about the every-day challenges of living with dementia. Entry to the activity is free and some Arabic language explanations will be available
“I can think of no other condition that has such a profound effect on loss of function, loss of independence, and the need for care. I can think of no other condition that places such a heavy burden on society, families, communities, and economies. I can think of no other condition where innovation, including breakthrough discoveries, is so badly needed,” said Dr. Hanadi Alhamad, Chairperson of Geriatrics at HMC and WHO Focal Point for the Global Dementia Observatory.
“While dementia related research projects and developing a holistic approach to care delivery is important, it is essential for communities and families to understand what dementia is and how to seek professional support. With this community event, we are hoping to reach individuals who may know someone who suffers from dementia or are concerned about experiencing the effects of this condition themselves,” added Dr Alhamad.
Dementia is caused when the brain is damaged by diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease or a series of strokes. Dementia is not a specific disease but an overall term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory, behavior or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person's ability to perform everyday activities.
According to the World Health Organization, (WHO) there are many misconceptions and a lack of understanding of dementia. For instance, although dementia mainly affects older people, it is not a normal part of ageing. Worldwide, 47.5 million people have dementia and there are 7.7 million new cases diagnosed every year. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for at least 60 to 70 percent of cases.
"Unique among countries in the region, Qatar is determined to lead on the issue of dementia,” said Egbert Schillings, Chief Executive Officer, World Innovation Summit for Health. “A broad local coalition is involved in creating a national dementia strategy. Other countries that have done so put the development of community-based dementia advisers and peer support networks at the core of their response to this growing challenge. With this event, WISH and its partners are doing their part to address the two dominant narratives around dementia: First is the sense of pessimism that the increase in dementia sufferers is an insoluble problem. The second narrative is a more practical one and communicates that together we can work out a way of living with the prevalence of this condition, as a community. Events such as this one enable people to get together, learn from one other, and offer support to one another."
“Receiving a diagnosis of dementia can be a huge shock for anyone and one can feel very vulnerable. This is where good friends, strong family support and effective professional care are hugely valuable. It is also important to plan for the future to ensure all personal and legal affairs are managed whilst the person with dementia can still make decisions themselves,” advised Dr. Alhamad.
Dementia is one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people worldwide and the physical, psychological, social and economical impact it has on caregivers, families and society adds to the complexity of developing effective services.
