Hamad Medical Corporation ( HMC) has joined global community this month to observe World Alzheimer's Month, dedicated to raising awareness, challenging stigma, and advocating for support and research in support of people living with dementia. This year’s theme is ‘never too early, never too late’, which highlights the importance of addressing the risk factors for dementia at any stage in adult life.
Dr Hanadi al-Hamad, deputy chief for Long-Term Care, Rehabilitation and Geriatric Care, explained the importance of focusing on the risk factors and risk reduction. “While there has been a huge transformation in dementia perception and care over the last decade, it is hugely important for us to better understand and respond to the risk factors associated with this condition. Many of which are considered to be modifiable risk factors or lifestyle factors, such as high blood pressure, uncontrolled diabetes, unaddressed hearing loss, lack of physical activity, or unmanaged depression. Adopting a healthy lifestyle will promote overall good health, including brain health.”
“This year’s World Alzheimer’s Month theme of ‘never too early, never too late’ highlights the key role of identifying risk factors and adopting proactive risk reduction measures to delay, and potentially even prevent, the onset of dementia. This includes ongoing risk reduction strategies for individuals who have already received a diagnosis,” noted, Dr al-Hamad,. “We are therefore delighted to arrange activities this month to educate the public as well as deliver specialised training to healthcare staff in understanding the signs and symptoms of dementia and encourage better understanding of the modifiable risk factors linked to lifestyle.”
Services such as the free and confidential RAHA Alzheimer’s and Memory Services Helpline has been immensely valuable in providing faster access to care and helping to relieve some of the stress that caregivers can feel as the illness progresses and the symptoms of the person they care for worsens over time. The Memory Clinic, which was first set up in Rumailah Hospital, now also provides clinics in several primary care health centres, provide a specialised service to diagnose memory loss and cognitive decline and advise on suitable treatment options.
This year’s Alzheimer’s awareness campaign in Qatar is held under the banner of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Healthy Ageing and Dementia, a joint programme between the World Health Organisation and HMC that is dedicated to the development and strengthening of national and regional institutional capacity and enhancing the scientific validity of its global health work in the field of healthy ageing and dementia care and services.
Dr al-Hamad, added: “We have built up a wealth of knowledge and experience over the past decade as we focused our efforts on improving the healthcare for our older population. We have developed better access to care and improved pathways to integrated healthcare services that are targeted to the needs of the older adults. The Collaborating Centre allows us to share this knowledge through the WHO and benefit from the valuable tools and programs they have as well.”
Dr Hanadi al-Hamad.
