Call for World Alzheimer's Day from the Turkish Alzheimer's Association

Dilek Şahinöz, President of the Alzheimer's Association of Turkey, announced at the meeting that this year's themes were "Let's Talk About Alzheimer's" and "On the Road for Alzheimer's." Şahinöz noted that approximately 700,000 people in Türkiye are living with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, emphasizing that fighting the disease is everyone's responsibility.

The Alzheimer's Association of Turkey held a press conference at a hotel in Istanbul on September 21st, as part of World Alzheimer's Day. At the meeting, the association's management invited the public to raise awareness about Alzheimer's and take an active role in the fight against it. The event, attended by Dilek Şahinöz, President of the Alzheimer's Association of Turkey; Prof. Dr. Başar Bilgiç, President of the Medical Board; Prof. Dr. Işın Baral Kulaksızoğlu, Vice President; and Sertaç Süslü, Board Member and Patient Relative, addressed the challenges faced by patients and their families, as well as new treatment options.

'THIS STRUGGLE IS ALL OF US'S RESPONSIBILITY'

Dilek Şahinöz, President of the Turkish Alzheimer's Association, made the following statements in her speech:

Approximately 700,000 people in Türkiye are living with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. Unfortunately, when their families and close friends are included, this number surpasses millions. This year, we continue our journey with the slogan, "Let's Talk About Alzheimer's, We're on the Road to Alzheimer's." In this long, difficult, and sometimes exhausting journey, we've added a new branch to our branches in Turkey and Cyprus. Following Van, Tunceli joined our eastern provinces. This year, we also launched a project to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's patients getting lost. To this end, we distributed smart tracking devices to our Alzheimer's patients free of charge. These small but vital devices will help prevent many lost lives. I see the fight against Alzheimer's not just as a duty, but as a human responsibility.

We're not asking for a scientific cure today; we're simply asking you to be aware. Knock on your neighbor's door, call an elderly person, share awareness on social media, go to your municipality and ask, "Is there an Alzheimer's day center in this district?" The most powerful response to Alzheimer's is social support. You, esteemed members of the press, can be the voice and echo of this support. Let's not forget: awareness starts today, not tomorrow. Alzheimer's can take away our memory, but it cannot take away our human dignity and the right to life. Forgetting may be fate; but leaving alone is our choice. We choose not to abandon Alzheimer's patients.

Prof. Dr. Başar Bilgiç, Chairman of the Medical Board of the Turkish Alzheimer's Association, provided important information about treatment methods and said:

There are three medications, two of which are currently on the market. They're not in Türkiye, but they're available internationally. Treatments exist that slow the disease. They're not miracle drugs, but they can slow the disease by 40 percent. Data on these medications is growing daily. New-generation treatments aimed at slowing the progression of Alzheimer's disease in its early stages have entered global use. Ensuring access to these medications, which are not yet available in our country, as quickly as possible, while adhering to scientific evidence, patient safety, and sustainable financing principles, is critical for the public good. Planning for infusion centers, clarifying side effect monitoring protocols, establishing national registry systems to collect real-life data, and completing the training of expert teams are concrete first steps.

A phased implementation model, starting with university and training-research hospitals, will prioritize both effectiveness and safety while also enabling the rational use of public resources. All parties are expected to engage in transparent, solution-oriented dialogue and demonstrate a reasonable and responsible pricing policy that prioritizes access. This is a shared expectation of patients and their families. Alzheimer's can easily be confused with depression, vitamin deficiencies, thyroid disorders, sleep apnea, medication side effects, and other dementias. Therefore, biomarkers are becoming increasingly important in diagnosis and determining the stage of the disease. Tests that examine amyloid and tau proteins (e.g., p-tau217, measured in blood) in particular provide earlier and more accurate indications of the disease's presence.

However, an important caveat: These blood tests should only be ordered for individuals with cognitive complaints such as forgetfulness, if deemed appropriate by the examining physician. Self-testing can lead to misinterpretations and unnecessary anxiety. Similarly, it is inappropriate for private laboratories to present these tests as "general screening." It is essential that these tests be performed only upon a physician's request, informed consent be obtained, accurate reporting be provided, and results be shared with the specialist physician. Furthermore, scientifically proven, standardized devices and methods should be used; blood collection, storage, and transportation processes should be meticulously conducted, and regular quality controls should be performed.

PROF. DR. KULAKSIZOĞLU: ALZHEIMER'S PATIENTS ARE FIGHTING STIGMA

Prof. Dr. Işın Baral Kulaksızoğlu, Vice President of the Alzheimer's Association of Turkey, said, “Most individuals with dementia are not diagnosed in the early stages of their disease. One of the most important reasons for this is the stigma that persists in society. Stigma not only hinders access to healthcare; it also accelerates the progression of the disease, increases the burden on caregivers, and increases mortality rates. A recent study conducted with the support of the Alzheimer's Association of Turkey has revealed the extent of this problem. The findings show that while awareness of dementia is influenced by factors such as education, gender, and caregiving experience, stigma has deeper emotional and cultural roots.

"Women are more aware than men because of the cultural implication of caregiving roles and their greater interest in health issues. Even as education levels increase, family caregiving responsibilities persist," he said.

Prof. Dr. Kulaksızoğlu stated, "Education alone is not sufficient: While health literacy has increased, social norms and prejudices still strongly influence healthcare workers. Stigma also exists among healthcare workers: While their knowledge levels are high, their stigmatizing attitudes are no different from those of the general public. This demonstrates that medical knowledge alone is not sufficient; empathy, communication, and cultural sensitivity are also critical. The research reveals that stigma is a persistent phenomenon, particularly in collectivist cultures. Therefore, increasing awareness training in healthcare services, conducting accurate information campaigns, and strengthening support programs for caregivers are crucial. Reducing stigma will both improve the quality of life of individuals with dementia and ease the burden on their families."

SÜSLÜ: FORGETTENESS MAY BE A SYMPTOM OF A DISEASE, BUT LEAVING IT ALONE IS OUR CHOICE

Sertaç Süslü, a Board Member and Patient Relative of the Alzheimer's Association of Turkey, stated, "Alzheimer's is a process that profoundly affects not only patients but also their families. As the disease progresses, behavioral problems that go beyond forgetfulness (sleeping, eating, toileting, bathing, aggression, and irritability) make daily life difficult. Furthermore, many patients have other health problems. Life for patients' families means living on edge, losing peace of mind, and often leaving their social lives behind. There are thousands of patients' families who have been unable to leave their homes or go on vacation for years."

DHA

Reporter: News Center