September 2012 was a special month for Alzheimer’s associations around the world as they marked the first World Alzheimer’s Month with various awareness-raising activities. The highlight of the month was World Alzheimer’s Day which is celebrated annually on 21 September.
ADACI joined in the global events with a range of activities that were rolled out over the course of the month commencing with a church service to mark the first World Alzheimer’s Month. This took place at Elmslie Memorial Church, George Town, the first church to be established in the Cayman Islands.
Six presentations on Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia were made during the month to the general public. The presentations, which were held at General Practice clinics across Grand Cayman, were delivered by members of ADACI’s Medical Advisory Committee, Directors Dr Loraine Barnaby and Ms Samantha Conolly.
A Luncheon and Music Event was held for the residents of the Pines Retirement Home, 28 of whom have various forms of dementia. The music was performed by husband and wife duo, Bonafide, who had the residents dancing and singing along.
A movie night with popcorn and sodas was held for carers of people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. The movie “Away from Her”, which is about a man coping with the institutionalisation of his wife because of Alzheimer’s, touched many in the audience.
World Alzheimer’s Day was marked with a Corporate Dress Down Day with staff of participating organisations donating to ADACI. Participating organisations included RBC Royal Bank (Cayman) Limited, Walkers, Caledonian Group Services, PricewaterhouseCoopers, dms Organisation Ltd, Immigration Department, LIME, and Intertrust Cayman. Students of John Grey High School also demonstrated great community spirit by making a significant cash donation. Over $5,600 was raised through our fundraising activities during World Alzheimer’s Month.
The highlight of the month’s activities was a dinner held on World Alzheimer’s Day in honour of the carers of people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Prizes donated by corporate sponsors were raffled and included a grand prize of airline tickets and a week-end hotel stay in Cayman Brac for two. The corporate sponsors included Cayman Airways, Eclipse Beauty Salon, Casanova Restaurant, Hollywood Theatres, and Alexandra Hotel. Live music by Bonafide created a warm ambiance during the evening. The dinner was attended by just over 70 people, including the Minister for Community Affairs, Gender and Housing, the Honourable Mike Adam, MBE, JP. Everyone had a wonderful evening and left the dinner with a gift bag filled with goodies.
Published November 18, 2012