Book on Alzheimer’s disease prevention launched

MANILA, Philippines - In observance of World Alzheimer’s Day, the Alzheimer’s Disease Association of the Philippines (ADAP) recently launched the book Recommendations on the Diagnosis, Prevention and Management of Alzheimer’s Disease, 2nd edition.

Alzheimer’s disease is one of several debilitating disorders that cause the gradual loss of brain cells. It is the most common type of dementia, a collective name for progressive degenerative brain syndromes, which affects memory, thinking, behavior, and emotion, and is serious enough to affect daily life. There is currently no cure for most types of dementia, but treatments, advice, and support are available.

“Nearly eight million new cases of dementia worldwide are diagnosed each year. Almost 500,000 Filipinos have dementia,” said ADAP president Dr. Socorro Martinez.

According to Dr. Martinez, care for people with dementia has a significant impact on a country’s economic, social, and health resources. Alarmed by the rising numbers of dementia cases worldwide, the World Health Organization has called for immediate action, especially in low- to medium-income countries such as the Philippines where resources are limited.

“The first edition of Recommendations on the Diagnosis, Prevention and Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease was published in 2005. It received much praise from numerous organizations and has been used as a reference by Filipno physicians in caring for their patients. The book’s updated and revised second edition incorporates the development in research and changes in practice for the past nine years,” explained Dr. Grace Orteza, book convenor and member, ADAP board of directors.

During the book launch at Fully Booked in Global City, Bonifacio, Taguig City, ADAP also launched the Caregiver’s Booklet, which will serve as a guide for people caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other related conditions.

Founded in March 2000, ADAP is a non-profit organization composed of persons with dementia and their family caregivers, dedicated doctors with a special interest in dementia, allied medical professionals, and others involved in the care of patients. In 2000, ADAP became a member of Alzheimer’s Disease International, a worldwide federation of Alzheimer’s associations that support people with dementia and their families.

In 2012, to promote public awareness on Alzheimer’s disease, ADAP released a comic took titled Love Remembers.