2023-09-19 12:34:10
Affecting nearly a million people in France, Alzheimer’s disease continues to see its incidence increase over the years. Responsible for a loss of autonomy and increased dependence among the elderly, this dementia represents a major public health challenge. This year, World Alzheimer’s Day will be an opportunity to promote the benefits of appropriate physical activity among people suffering from this disease.
Alzheimer’s disease: a worrying incidence
Affecting nearly a million people in France, Alzheimer’s disease refers to a neurodegenerative disease whose incidence continues to increase over the years. This increase in the number of cases is all the more worrying given that Alzheimer’s disease has origins that are still poorly understood and that it does not currently benefit from any curative treatment despite the progress made in recent years in terms of diagnostic.
Alzheimer’s disease thus represents a real public health challenge, especially since it is responsible for increased dependence among people who suffer from it.
To know ! In practice, it is the accumulation in the brain of neurotoxic deposits of amyloid protein which is the cause of this disease. It then most often manifests itself as memory problems. But screening is often difficult at the start of the disease due to patients’ minimization of symptoms.
Alzheimer’s disease: daily life disrupted for patients and their caregivers
The dependence caused by Alzheimer’s disease is in fact linked to a progressive loss of memory and several intellectual faculties. This decline then inevitably leads to the patient’s loss of autonomy. Beyond a certain stage of dependence, the patient must then receive treatment within a specialized structure.
If Alzheimer’s disease disrupts the life of the patient who can no longer live as he did before it occurred, it also has a heavy impact on the daily life of those around them and caregivers. Communication made more difficult, feelings of loneliness in the face of illness, withdrawal into oneself and difficulties in managing the illnesses of the sick person on a daily basis, caregivers often have little respite and end up physically and morally exhausted.
A sports day to promote the benefits of physical activity adapted to patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease
In this context, World Alzheimer’s Day, scheduled for September 21, is an opportunity for associations to inform and mobilize the general public, health professionals and public authorities. The objective of the 2023 edition? Bring together as many people as possible around a festive day dedicated to sport.
Clearly, this will involve promoting the benefits of physical activity adapted to people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Appropriate physical activity allows sick people to maintain motor and orientation skills (such as coordination, balance or even muscular power) for as long as possible, while strengthening their self-esteem and helping them to maintain social connections.
Among the physical activities that can be offered to patients and their loved ones are ping-pong, dancing, hiking, horse riding, gentle gymnastics and even tennis. There is no doubt that this friendly and festive moment will help to break taboos and preconceived ideas regarding this disease which still remains largely unknown!
Déborah L., Doctor in Pharmacy
Sources
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