The Virgin Islands Alzheimer’s Association and the Nevis Progressive Society will host an awareness walk this Saturday, March 4.

Director of the VI Alzheimer’s Association, Ms. Edna Williams said the walk is to raise awareness about the disease and to encourage more community groups and individuals to join the movement to raise Alzheimer’s awareness.

“The more we make awareness presentations, the more family members acknowledge knowing someone who is exhibiting early warning signs. We want the community to know Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging.   Dementia is caused by diseases of the brain and is progressive, which means the symptoms will gradually get worse”, Ms. Williams said.

The director added that the need to bring awareness to the community is critical as the number of persons affected with the disease will increase.

Ms. Williams said, “The Virgin Islands Alzheimer’s Association acts to aggressively prevent those numbers from growing through risk reduction and prevention. The key is early intervention, before symptoms are evident and brain damage is too extensive.  Only with a concerted effort from the community can this become a reality.”  

Residents are invited to support the event which begins at the Noel Lloyd Positive Action Movement Park at 5:00 a.m. Participants will travel down the Waterfront Drive towards Peebles Hospital, through Main Street towards the Band Stand and the Police Station then on to the Walter Francis Highway turning east to CSY and back to the Noel Lloyd Park via the Walter Francis Highway.

 World Alzheimer’s Month is coordinated by Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI), an international federation of 85 Alzheimer associations throughout the world. The purpose is to build and strengthen the global network of Alzheimer associations, so that they are better able to meet the needs of people with dementia and their families.