Muistiliitto ry - World Alzheimer´s Days messages

In 2009 we commemorate 25 years since the formation of Alzheimer’s
Disease International. This gives us the chance to reflect on how ADI has grown and developed since the first meeting in 1984.

I was present at that meeting alongside representatives from Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, the UK and the USA. There was a common feeling that, in order for dementia to be addressed as a global issue, an international organisation was needed.

A quarter of a century later and ADI now has 71 member associations and a whole host of accomplishments, including lively and enlightening programmes and events, such as World Alzheimer’s Day.

It is so important that we continue to speak out about dementia through these events and urge governments to realise the true scale of this dreadful disease in an effort to improve the lives of people with dementia, their families and their carers. There are so many people out there who cannot help themselves, so we must act now to help them receive the level of care and support they deserve.

I would like to congratulate ADI on our remarkable achievements over the past 25 years. It has been a joy to be involved and I look forward to even more years of development. I wish everyone around the world a very
successful and enjoyable World Alzheimer’s Day and all the very best for the future.

I feel it a great honour to be working so closely with the ADI family as they mark 25 years of caring for people with dementia across the world. This truly
is a very exciting time to be a part of the dementia movement and ADI family.

We continue to find new ways to raise awareness among many groups of people, from individuals to health care professionals and governments across the world. The launch of the World Alzheimer Report and the new caregiver
intervention, ‘Helping Carers to Care’, from the 10/66 Dementia Research Group is evidence of the hard work that continues to go into the dementia field.

As we continue to grow I encourage you all to make the most of our work, to utilise and promote ADI’s findings and services whenever you can.
Remember that, through ADI, you are connected to many others from all parts of the world working to achieve the same goal as you. We are not alone in our endeavours!

Well done to you all on making ADI such a success and I look forward to many more years of growth and friendship, working with you towards a better future for people with dementia.

Let’s make World Alzheimer’s Day 2009 the day when decision-makers across the world sit up and take note!