On World Alzheimer's Day we highlight the figures to forget

One more year, and on the occasion of World Alzheimer's Day, the Pasqual Maragall Foundation claims the need to erase this celebration from the calendar and make this September 21 #undiaparaoblidar this year through the action: 4lzh31m3r: the figures to forget.

"With this initiative we are putting on the table the need to allocate more resources to Alzheimer's, especially to research. From the Pasqual Maragall Foundation we are convinced that only through science will we find a way to overcome it. Also, with this action, we highlight the importance of dissemination to change the culture about the disease, always with our purpose in mind: a future without Alzheimer's", declares Cristina Maragall, president of the entity.
 

The figures of 4lzh31mer

It is currently estimated that Alzheimer's and dementias affect 900,000 people, one in ten over 65 and a third over 85. These pathologies are one of the main causes of mortality, disability and dependency and there is no effective course-altering cure.

In addition to the people affected, there are also the families who assume, in 80% of the cases, the cost of the disease which is 30,000 euros per person per year, and the dedication of an average of 70 hours per week of the relative caregiver of the person with Alzheimer's.

That is why, with the aim of raising awareness and offering more figures that show the magnitude of the disease in Spain, the Pasqual Maragall Foundation has published the results of the second wave of the "Attitudes and perceptions of the Spanish population" survey on Alzheimer's" prepared with the support of the Ministry of Social Rights and Agenda 2030, to a sample of more than 2,300 people.

This study shows that Alzheimer's is the health condition that worries the Spanish population the most, not far from cancer, or that 2 out of 3 people know someone who suffers or has suffered from Alzheimer's, for almost 30% of respondents it’s a relative of first degree. These are just some of the figures that reflect the concern of the population, as well as the lack of knowledge about the disease.

More resources for research

On World Alzheimer's Day, the Foundation calls for more resources to be allocated to research and to make the disease a strategic political priority. For this reason, the organization works day by day to change the reality of Alzheimer's through research, with its own center, the Barcelonaßeta Brain Research Center (BBRC), which focuses its work on the preclinical and asymptomatic phase of the disease.

In addition, the Foundation, in line with its work to change the social consideration of the disease, serves caregivers through a free training and emotional support program, in which more than 1,500 people have already participated in the last 10 years. Specifically, and to improve access to these trainings, the organization is currently offering the program in an online format so that any caregiver can access this content without having to travel.

"Today, September 21, we want to show how Alzheimer's has already become a structural pandemic in our country, and our support for the thousands of families who face this disease every day. That's why, on such a special day, we invite all people who want to join our cause by spreading the word about our action: 4lzh31m3r: the numbers to forget", declares Cristina Maragall.