Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Carvin Malone has called for a coordinated global voice to bring awareness to dementia during this month being observed as World Alzheimer’s Month.

In an official observance message, Honourable Malone highlighted that a person with a parent or sibling with a dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease has on average a higher risk of developing the same condition themselves, although other factors such as lifestyle can also play a part.

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a group of diseases that may cause the brain to fail and because it is a progressive disease, the symptoms will gradually get worst over time. 

Honourable Malone while referencing support during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighted the challenges the safety protocols can pose to vulnerable groups such as seniors and persons with dementia and Alzheimers.

“Because persons with Alzheimer’s disease has some sensitive challenges like memory loss, it is going to take a collective effort by each community to know who our vulnerable persons are and to protect them by ensuring that we follow the protocols such as limiting visitations as well as ensuring caregivers are following hand hygiene protocols and wearing face masks correctly that will limit exposure to the COVID-19 virus,” Honourable Malone said. 

He called for organisations and individuals everywhere to get involved by supporting the campaign theme and messages during the month of September led by the Virgin Islands Alzheimer’s Association. 

The Virgin Islands Alzheimer’s Association is a non-profit organisation which aims to create awareness, encourage prevention of the disease and be the support system for families coping with loved ones suffering from the disease.