Alzi Doha holds 'The Journey of Caring' event

In commemoration of September’s World Alzheimer's Month 2022, Alzheimer’s Indonesia Chapter Doha - Qatar (Alzi Doha) held an event titled 'The Journey of Caring' at the Indonesian embassy on October 7. The activity was led by Alzi Doha chairperson Dr Ken Lestariyani Sulis, in collaboration with the embassy.In his speech, Indonesian ambassador Ridwan Hassan, quoted a study from Alzheimer’s Disease International which revealed that every three seconds one person in the world develops dementia. "In Indonesia, it is estimated that there were around 1.2mn people with dementia in 2016, which will increase to 2mn in 2030 and 4mn in 2050," he explained.The talk show featured Dr Mani Chandran, a senior consultant geriatric psychiatrist from Hamad Medical Corporation, representing Dr Hanadi al-Hamad (medical director of Rumaillah Hospital and the Qatar Institute of Rehabilitation as well as the WHO Focal Point of Global Dementia Observatory and Healthy Ageing). Dr Chandran explained that there are at least 10 ways to reduce the risk of dementia. Some of these include being physically active, making healthy habit food choices, reducing stress, and continuously challenging the brain by learning something new.The event was also attended by D Y Suharya, the founder of Alzheimer's Indonesia and regional director Asia Pacific Alzheimer’s Disease International who has recently been acknowledged as UN Decade Healthy Ageing 50 Leaders.Sharing her experience in caring for family members with dementia, Suharya said it is very important to spread the message, "do not underestimate memory loss" to increase public awareness about Alzheimer's disease.She also encouraged everyone to join Alzi Doha’s upcoming activities ranging from early diagnosis, support group and educational sessions in future collaborations with other partners in Doha.Alzi Doha chairperson Dr Sulis lauded the participation of young volunteers from the Indonesian Student Association in Qatar and remarked that youth engagement and inter-generational collaboration has always been promoted by Alzheimer’s Indonesia since 2016. The event also featured a Brain Gym session as a form of brain stimulation to reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's .