Today, 55 million people worldwide have dementia and about 10 million new cases are diagnosed each year. There are no figures on how many people have dementia in Iceland, but it can be estimated that there are 5,000 people with dementia in Iceland and about 300 people are diagnosed under the age of 65, which is defined as early-onset dementia. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines dementia as the seventh leading cause of death of all diseases and one of the leading causes of disability in the elderly, worldwide.
Alzheimer Iceland kicked off its autumn educational programme with a seminar on World Alzheimer's Day, 21 September. The title of the seminar was "Why Me?" Heredity - Research - Analysis. Kári Stefánsson, CEO of Icelandic Genetics, talked about heredity; Jón Snædal, geriatrician, discussed research and diagnosis; Ása Dýradóttir, cultural director, talked about art and about being a relative of a person with dementia; and musician Svavar Knútur played beautiful music at the end of the seminar.
The symposium was chaired by Ragnheiður Ríkharðsdóttir (pictured), Chairperson of Alzheimer Iceland. The seminar was a hybrid event, with around 200 participants onsite and about 300 participants joining online. "Contribute, spread knowledge about dementia, and help break down the prejudices that accompany diagnosis. Let us take an active part in helping people with dementia and their families to have a meaningful life where society treats all with respect, understands their problems and helps as much as possible, because with support it is possible to live a good life despite this illness" - this is the message conveyed by Alzheimer Iceland.
