For the second year, an Alzheimer’s and Dementia Awareness Day will take place on Saturday 20th September. The campaign will see Health care professionals and members of the Support group available to speak to the public on the disease, outside the Cathedral of Saint Mary the Crowned, as from 10am.

That evening and the evening of Sunday 21st September will see the Mount Alvernia building bathed in purple light, to raise awareness. The awareness campaign has been organised by the Care Agency’s Elderly Residential Services and Social Services departments, the GHA’s Community Psychiatric Nursing Team in conjunction with the Gibraltar Alzheimer’s & Dementia Society. In addition, the GHA’s Health Promotion Team has assisted the Gibraltar Alzheimer’s & Dementia Group in the production of informational leaflets on dementia.

Dementia affects one in three people over the age of 65. When people suffering from dementia find that their mental abilities are declining they often feel vulnerable and in need of reassurance and support.