The session was opened with a televised speech by Her Royal Highness Princess Muna Al-Hussein, who emphasized the importance of early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, especially in light of the many risk factors, noting that early intervention with the disease contributes to improving the quality of life for people living with dementia and their families.
The Secretary of the Association, Lynn Al-Madanat, said that raising awareness about dementia and supporting people living with it, their families, and caregivers is a shared responsibility that requires the concerted efforts of various parties, including the Ministries of Health and Social Development, the health and social sectors, universities and schools, the media, the General Security, municipalities, the private sector, civil society institutions, and citizens.
She emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the disease and reducing the stigma associated with it, and working to build a more accepting and inclusive society for people living with dementia and their families.
For her part, the Vice President of the Administrative Body of the Association, Dr. Sawsan Al-Majali, presented a presentation on the Association's main activities and achievements, and its efforts in the fields of awareness, education, and support for people living with dementia and their caregivers, in addition to strengthening partnerships with official and private entities.
The session witnessed live testimonies from a number of caregivers, who reviewed their personal experiences and the challenges they face while caring for their loved ones living with dementia, highlighting the needs of families and the importance of providing them with support and assistance.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Ibrahim Al-Bdour, reviewed the role of the Ministry in caring for Alzheimer's patients and their families and caregivers, while the Minister of Social Development, Wafa Bani Mustafa, explained the social support system provided by the Ministry for the care of the elderly.
On the sidelines of the session, the Jordan Alzheimer's Association and the Parkinson's Patients Care Association signed a joint cooperation agreement, with the aim of unifying efforts and improving the level of services provided to people living with neurological diseases, particularly dementia and Parkinson's disease, in addition to supporting their families and caregivers.
September of each year is considered a month for raising awareness about Alzheimer's disease and dementia, and it constitutes a global occasion to introduce the challenges faced by people living with dementia and their families and caregivers, enhance societal understanding of the disease and reduce the stigma associated with it, and raise awareness about risk factors and the importance of early diagnosis and obtaining appropriate support.
