In 1996, after my father was diagnosed with probable Alzheimer’s, there were only 3.8 million people living in the U.S. with dementia and about 16 million, worldwide.
Twenty-two years ago, this month, I persuaded my father to visit us. It took three years of gentle persuasion after my mother died. I am very patient.
As we walk out the door, deep down, I know it will be the last time my father will see his Wisconsin home of 45 years. I ask him to stop a moment – to take one last look. He thinks it a bit strange, but pauses. He briefly scans the front of his red-brick colonial-style home, the heavy oak door framed by two white pillars. Together, we take an evening flight to California.
Two-decades later, the worldwide figure has risen by 300 percent to an estimated 50 million people with one new dementia diagnosis every 3 seconds.
To raise awareness and increase understanding, Alzheimer’s Disease International recognizes #WorldAlzMonth every September. Click to view the 20-second video, below.
For more information, click to view this two-page PDF document [TCV Update: 8/15/2022 URL to PDF no longer available.]
Every 3 seconds someone in the world develops dementia.
Click for the full 3-part program series – Every 3 Seconds – An ADI-ITN Production that includes how people and their care partners live with dementia and initiatives in research.
