Raising Awareness of Alzheimer's Dementia, Unika Atma Jaya Supports the ALZI Decade
Jakarta, 10 August 2023 – The increasing public awareness of Alzheimer's Dementia means that caregivers will face new challenges in life. This means collective support is needed in the form of guidance and encouragement between caregivers, both offline and online.
Therefore, the Catholic University of Indonesia (Unika) Atma Jaya supports Alzheimer Indonesia (ALZI) to celebrate a decade. Where, Unika Atma Jaya has previously worked with ALZI to form an integrated Alzheimer's Dementia service centre called Atma Jaya Alzheimer Indonesia (ATZI).
On Saturday (5/8), coinciding with the 10th anniversary of Alzheimer Indonesia at the Yustinus Building, Unika Atma Jaya held a series of events that focused on honouring caregivers as the frontline companion of People with Dementia (ODD).
Lecturer and professor of Unika Atma Jaya as well as ALZI Advisor, Prof Yuda Turana in his speech said that coinciding with the anniversary of the Alzheimer Indonesia decade, a new slogan was also issued, namely SEROJA SEMANGGI (Healthy Physical and Spiritual, High Spirit).
"This slogan becomes the spirit and passion for ALZI as a community that assists people with dementia," he said at Unika Atma Jaya Campus Jakarta on Saturday, 5 August 2023.
With this new theme in mind, Prof Yuda continued, Alzheimer Indonesia's decade celebration was filled with events that put the collaboration of the younger and older generations at the forefront.
The event was also attended by the Director General of Public Health, Maria Endang Sumiwi representing the Minister of Health said that we would like to increase cooperation with various non-profit organisations such as Alzheimer Indonesia especially in the success of health transformation in Indonesia which will put the life cycle as the main context.
"This means that ODD and the elderly will receive maximum care and assistance and is in line with the country's efforts to prevent and promote healthy lifestyles," Maria said.
The celebration was attended by more than 1,000 caregivers, ODD, and supporters of Alzheimer Indonesia at home and abroad attended the event which was filled with various activities such as workshops, means of sharing, and appreciation for caregivers who are mostly family members.
"Young people from the age of 20 need to start habits and lifestyles that can protect the brain from the dangers of dementia in old age. We are no longer talking about what 50-year-olds can do," said Prof Yuda.
Furthermore, the Professor and Researcher of Unika Atma Jaya, revealed what the younger and older generations can do together to be protected from Alzheimer's Dementia.
This activity is also the opening event of a series of World Alzheimer's Month activities which are celebrated every September. In 2023, the theme of the World Alzheimer's Month is Risk Reduction in Dementia.
Alzheimer Indonesia founder DY Suharya said that a decade of ALZI gives us the opportunity to reach the next stage in the spirit of serving and providing the best quality of life for people with DD and their caregivers in Indonesia.
"ALZI's future efforts are to strengthen the next level of "Purple Troops" or Care Navigators who have leadership and communication skills to help families navigate their journey of care and assistance," said DY Suharya.
The establishment of the Atma Jaya Alzheimer Indonesia (ATZI) integrated service centre is a form of Unika Atma Jaya's caring value as an educational institution.
"In the future, the ATZI integrated service centre located within the university will also continue to develop awareness programmes for people with dementia," he added.
