Muscat: The National Alzheimer's Forum 2023 will begin on Wednesday at Sultan Qaboos University. Many regional psychiatrists, general practitioners, community nurses and social workers will attend the forum organised by Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Ministry of Health and Oman Alzheimer's Society.
Held under the auspices of Dr Abdullah al Futaisi, adviser to the Vice Chancellor of SQU, an Alzheimer's month forum began at the university's Cultural Centre to mark World Alzheimer's Month. The forum is an initiative by the Department of Behavioural Medicine at SQU Hospital and Oman Alzheimer's Society.
The conference objectives are to present recent advances in dementia diagnosis and treatment, discuss challenges in dementia care in Oman, explore caregiver's needs and experiences, and practice screening tools.
After the welcome speech by Dr Hamed al Sinawi, the opening address will be delivered by Dr Ahmed al Mandri, the Regional Director for the MENA Region, World Health Organisation.
Dr Ahmed al Harrassi will be presenting a paper on Neurocognitive disorders. Ohood al Saadi will address social development's role in supporting people with Alzheimer's.
A panel discussion will be held on dementia caregivers' experiences. An important topic that will be addressed is legal issues facing people with Alzheimer's, which Dr Huda al Qutaibi will present.
A workshop conducted by Dr Ahmed al Harrasi will focus on screening for dementia in primary care, as it has been noted that early diagnosis is best in the case of Alzheimer's as well. The role of supplements for people with Alzheimer's will also be discussed at the conference.
A major highlight is the smartwatch launch by Onam Alzheimer's Society for tracking people with Alzheimer's, the brainchild of White Horse Company.
Oman Alzheimer's Society, the National Alzheimer Society of Oman, and a member of ADI, the federation of national Alzheimer and dementia associations, are calling on governments around the world to urgently fund dementia risk-reduction research, education, and support services and for governments to make risk reduction a core element of National Dementia Plans.
The facts are dementia risk reduction can prevent or delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, adopting a healthy lifestyle can prevent the onset of dementia, and it's never too early or too late to reduce one's risk of developing dementia.
Oman Alzheimer's Society says tackling dementia risk factors for individuals, both before and after a diagnosis, could reduce or slow down the oncoming 124.800 projected dementia cases by 2050 in a way that is accessible and affordable for people across the globe.
Dr Hamed al Sinawi said there are many proven risk factors for dementia, many of which individuals have a degree of personal control over. These include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, infrequent social contact, head injuries, and conditions including diabetes, hearing loss, depression, obesity, and hypertension.
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