Muscat-  The Ministry of Health has launched an awareness campaign to promote understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and highlight the importance of support, respect and compassionate care for people living with the condition and their families.

The campaign, launched to coincide with World Alzheimer’s Day on September 21, carries the message that ‘Awareness of Alzheimer’s… is the beginning of support and the foundation of care’.

The ministry’s campaign highlights how Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease that gradually affects memory, cognitive abilities and a person’s capacity to carry out daily activities.

It encourages families to pay attention to repeated forgetfulness and noticeable changes in memory and cognitive abilities, and to seek medical consultation and examination when needed.

The campaign also stresses the importance of creating a safe and supportive environment for people living with Alzheimer’s, while treating them with respect, understanding and reassurance.

‘Some memories may fade… but comfort, respect and reassurance remain present,’ the Ministry of Health said in its awareness message.

The ministry emphasised that support begins with understanding, while humane care can make a meaningful difference to both patients and their families.

The campaign seeks to strengthen awareness of Alzheimer’s and encourage families and caregivers to respond to changes in memory and cognitive abilities with understanding and appropriate medical support.

‘Awareness of Alzheimer’s is the beginning of support and the foundation of care,’ the ministry said.