Free Memory Test. September 21: World Alzheimer’s Day

21 September 2016

On the occasion of the World Alzheimer’s Day (September 21, 2016), the HYGEIA Hospital Neurodegenerative Brain Conditions Department & Memory Clinic is offering a free memory test and advice on prevention strategies to people over 60 with no prior diagnosis of dementia.

The test may be performed from Monday September 26 to Friday September 30, 2016. To book an appointment, call on +30 210 686 7079 (08:30-14:30). Anyone booking an appointment will also have the chance to try the innovative SOCIABLE program for empowering mental abilities.

Commenting on the initiative, the Director of the HYGEIA Neurodegenerative Brain Conditions Department & Memory Clinic and Chairwoman of the Athens Association of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders, Dr Paraskevi Sakka, noted, “Early diagnosis contributes decisively to combating the disease. Population studies conducted in Europe and the USA in the last few years have proven that the effects of dementia can be limited when making suitable lifestyle changes and monitoring cardiovascular disease risk factors (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, smoking, obesity, hyperhomocysteinemia). Furthermore, the Mediterranean diet, along with physical and cognitive training exercises, may contribute towards preventing dementia. Over the last few years, we have been implementing the innovative SOCIABLE program for empowering mental abilities with the use of touch screens at the HYGEIA Memory Clinic. This assists both in the prevention of Alzheimer’s and the treatment of the early stages of the disease, since latest research has shown that regular participation in structured cognitive learning programs over a substantial period of time may assist in preventing and treating Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.”

Nowadays, 47 million people worldwide are living with dementia. This number is expected to rise dramatically in the future due to the increase in life expectancy both in developed and developing countries. In Greece, 200,000 people currently suffer from dementia. This number is expected to reach 600,000 by 2050.