World Alzheimer's Day Highlights Early Dementia Diagnosis

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Today, September 21, the world marks World Alzheimer's Day as an annual moment to raise awareness about Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. The observance aims to reduce the stigma surrounding the condition, while underscoring the importance of diagnosis, care, and support for people living with dementia and their families.

This year, Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI), the global federation behind the campaign, has adopted the theme "The earlier you know, the more you can do: A dementia diagnosis matters" for World Alzheimer's Month 2026. The theme emphasizes that the sooner a person becomes aware of their condition, the greater the opportunity to take appropriate steps toward treatment and care.

World Alzheimer's Day itself is an annual global event held every September 21, dedicated to raising awareness about Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, and forms part of a month-long campaign known as World Alzheimer's Month. ADI first introduced the observance at its annual conference in Edinburgh in 1994, marking the organization's tenth anniversary.

The scale of the problem behind the campaign is substantial. Approximately 57 million people were living with dementia globally in 2021, with nearly 10 million new cases recorded each year. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for around 60 to 70 percent of all cases.

Although the risk increases with age, dementia is not an inevitable part of growing older, even though it is more common after the age of 65. Dementia is currently the seventh leading cause of death globally, and is also a major cause of disability and dependency among older people.

This year's theme also highlights the importance of recognizing early warning signs that families often overlook, such as confusion about time and place, difficulty completing familiar tasks, and changes in communication ability. Such symptoms differ from occasional forgetfulness, which is common for anyone, because patterns that persist and begin to disrupt daily life warrant a medical check-up rather than being dismissed.

In Indonesia, the issue is also a serious concern, given that around 24 million people, or 10 percent of the total population, are over the age of 60 and at risk of Alzheimer's disease, while public awareness of the condition remains relatively low. Organizations such as Alzheimer's Indonesia (ALZI) regularly hold educational activities and awareness campaigns in various cities throughout September, amid a shortage of geriatric specialists and adequate elderly care services in the country.

Among the goals of the observance are raising awareness of the signs and impact of Alzheimer's and dementia, encouraging early recognition of cognitive changes that require medical assessment, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis in accessing appropriate treatment and support, and reducing stigma and misconceptions surrounding dementia. This message aligns closely with this year's theme, which places particular emphasis on the urgency of early diagnosis.

Since its introduction in 1994, September has been designated World Alzheimer's Month, with the 21st serving as the highlight of global awareness and advocacy efforts. With the theme "The earlier you know, the more you can do," ADI hopes more families around the world will be encouraged to recognize early symptoms and seek medical help promptly, rather than waiting until the condition worsens.