Alzheimer’s Disease International

and Alzheimer’s Speaks

Join Forces

Collaboration expands services for Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia worldwide

MINNEAPOLIS, LONDON and TAIPEI –April 17^th, 2013 – Alzheimer’s Speaks, a leading provider of mufti-platforms of information and social media communities for those coping with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, today announced that Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) has become a major sponsor. The partnership will increase awareness and education of Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia around the world.  ADI is the association of all Alzheimer’s associations worldwide. Alzheimer’s Speaks is an advocacy based company that leverages social media to raise awareness for dementia, and educate families, businesses and communities.

Combining the global efforts of ADI and Alzheimer’s Speaks will assist in removing the fear of the disease that isolates so many. By working collaboratively, each organization can do what they do best.“In most parts of the world, people do not have an understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia,” says Marc Wortmann, executive director, Alzheimer’s Disease International. “Without understanding and awareness, people are not diagnosed, nor are they getting the right type of care, if any. One of the main objectives of Alzheimer’s Disease International is raising awareness. By working with Alzheimer Speaks we feel we can do this in a very effective way through the use of the internet that has no boundaries. We can reach people all over the world.”

“The partnership between Alzheimer’s Disease International and Alzheimer’s Speaks is ground breaking because together we will be able humanize the economics of the disease, reach those who have it, and those who care for them.” says Lori La Bey, chief executive officer, Alzheimer’s Speaks. “Together we’ll be able to focus in on how the disease impacts individuals, families and communities. We’ll begin a global dialog about caregiving, best caregiving practices and provide resources for people who need help.”

 In addition to the partnership announcement, La Bey will broadcast her radio show from the 28^th annual International Conference of Alzheimer’s Disease on April 18, 2013. Joining Wortmann on the broadcast will be Dr. Jacob Roy, the chairman of the ADI, and the past chairwoman of the ADI, Daisy Acosta.

The group will discuss an array of conference topics, review the global and public health agendas along with ADI’s objectives for the next three years:

a.       Raising global awareness

b.      Strengthen and support Alzheimer associations around the world

c.       Put Alzheimer’s on the political agenda

d.      Encouraging collaboration on research

The broadcast can be found here: http://bit.ly/16P9cYF. Broadcast of the radio show will begin at 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Savings Time (U.S.) and 21:00 in Taipei.
Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) and Taiwan Alzheimer’s Disease Association (TADA), join to provide the 28th International Conference of Alzheimer’s Disease International in Taipei. The conference will provide its attendees a unique opportunity to learn about the latest developments in diagnosis and treatment, improvements in the quality of care, approaches to building a dementia friendly community, and solving the difficulties and differences in policy around the world. It will also be an opportunity to focus on the care and management of people with dementia.

According to a report issued by ADI there were 36 million people living with dementia worldwide in 2010. This number is expected to increase to 66 million by 2030 and 115 million by 2050.

Assuming that incidence will increase in line with prevalence, since global aging is driving both numbers, by 2050 the number of people with Alzheimer’s disease is expected to reach an average of 24.6 million new cases annually. The average annual increase between 2010 and 2050 will be 16.15 million. This means there will be 646 million new cases worldwide within the next 40 years.

The estimated global cost of dementia in 2010 was $604 billion. This represents one percent of global GDP and it is likely that these costs will increase in proportion to the number of people with dementia. The World Health Organization’s Dementia report estimates there were 7.7 million new cases of dementia in the year 2010, or one new case every four seconds.

In November 2012, Alzheimer’s Speaks was recognized as the #1 Influencer Online for Alzheimer’s by Sharecare, a social media platform for health and wellness  that was founded by Dr. Mehmet Oz (aka Dr. Oz) and Jeff Arnold (founder of Web MD) in association with HARPO Studios and others.

Information on the “Dementia Friendly” campaign and various levels of sponsorship can be received by contacting Alzheimer’s Speaks at: DementiaFriendly@AlzheimersSpeaks.com

Additional Alzheimer’s Disease International Resources    

ADI Website http://www.alz.co.uk

World Alzheimer’s Report http://www.alz.co.uk/research/world-report 

ADI Conference Program http://www.adi2013.org/docs/conference-documents/full-scientific-programme-020413.pdf?sfvrsn=20

About Alzheimer’s Disease International

Alzheimer’s Disease International is the international federation of Alzheimer associations around the world, in official relations with the World Health Organization. Each member is the Alzheimer association in their country who support people with dementia and their families. ADI’s vision is an improved quality of life for people with dementia and their families throughout the world.

Additional Alzheimer’s Speaks Resources

Alzheimer’s Speaks Virtual Resource Center: www.AlzheimersSpeaks.com

Alzheimer’s Speaks Radio Show: www.blogtalkradio.com/AlzheimersSpeaks

Speaking, trainings and consulting:   ww.AlzheimersSpeaks.com/services

Alzheimer’s Speaks YouTube Channel: www.youtube.com/user/AlzheimersSpeaks

Arthur’s Memory Café: www.ArthursMemoryCafe.com

About Alzheimer’s Speaks

Alzheimer’s Speaks provides a variety of platforms and forums to educate and shift our dementia care culture for both professional and family caregivers along with the public at large. Alzheimer’s Speaks believes collaborative and alternative approaches push society forward in search for answers and that working together and sharing knowledge is the best way to win the battle against this disease. Alzheimer’s Speaks believes it is time to shift caregiving from crisis to comfort by removing the fear and providing economical services, tools, concepts and products to those in need. For more information please visit www.alzheimersspeaks.com.