The BVI Alzheimer's Awareness Campaign put on its first ever Alzheimer's walk in the Virgin Islands on June 21, 2015. A group of fifty-four community members walked from 6pm to around 7pm from the center of Road Town, Tortola, to the eastern edge of Road Town and back. Photo: Provided

Ever since starting her Alzheimer’s awareness campaign in the Virgin Islands over a year ago, persons have been taking encouraged to talk about the disease and learn more about it, however, member of the Rotary Club of Road Town, Edna Williams believes Alzheimer’s is still a 'hidden' disease in the territory. Photo: Provided

According to Edna S. Williams, the Rotary Club of Road Town plans on continuing its mass media campaign on Alzheimer's disease awareness. Photo: Provided

The incoming President of the Rotary Club of Road Town, Ryan Geluk, pledging the support of the club to Alzheimer's Awareness efforts over the coming year. Photo: Provided

The walk was held at sunset, to highlight the 'Sundowning Syndrome'. Sundowning refers to an increase in confusion and agitation in the late afternoon and evening which affects the elderly, persons with Alzheimer's, and persons with other forms of dementia. Symptoms are less pronounced earlier in the day. Photo: Provided

Walkers on their way during the Alzheimer's awareness walk. Photo: Provided

Noting that there are currently no statistics available on the disease in the Virgin Islands, Ms Williams told Virgin Islands News Online that she started her awareness campaign about a year and a half ago by placing ads in the news papers. She said her concern began when she became aware that someone she knows personally was diagnosed with the disease.

“But since a year and a half since I have been talking about it and putting up articles in the media more and more people are talking about it and relating that they know of people who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, sometimes family members.

“It’s becoming a storyline that I keep hearing, so that is now why we are really pushing it forward because I believe it is more hidden than anything else. People are not talking about it. People are thinking oh it’s just a regular part of aging, but it’s not.”

Alzheimer’s awareness walk

Meanwhile, on June 21, 2015, the BVI Alzheimer's Awareness Campaign put on its first ever Alzheimer's walk in the Virgin Islands. A group of fifty-four community members walked from 6pm to around 7pm from the center of Road Town, Tortola, to the eastern edge of Road Town and back.

The walk was followed by brief words by the daughter and grandson of Alric Correa, a founding member of the Rotary Club of Road Town, who began to suffer from early onset Alzheimer's at the age of fifty-one. The incoming President of the Rotary Club of Road Town, Ryan Geluk, also said a few words pledging the support of the club to Alzheimer's Awareness efforts over the coming year. 

June 21, the Summer Solstice, is the longest day of the year. On this day the VI joined the world in honouring persons diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. This date was chosen, and the walk held at sunset, to highlight the "Sundowning Syndrome".

Sundowning refers to an increase in confusion and agitation in the late afternoon and evening which affects the elderly, persons with Alzheimer's, and persons with other forms of dementia. Symptoms are less pronounced earlier in the day.

Williams said the numbers that came out for the walk were very encouraging. “I mean it was the first community activity we have had. So that was quite encouraging to me, to those who were there and those involved in organising it. We think it is a resounding success.”

She said the Rotary Club of Road Town plans on continuing its mass media campaign. “All we are doing right now is promoting awareness…in the near future we are going to put a video together on the 10 early warning signs of Alzheimer’s.”  

Fighting the battle

On her own initiative, Rotarian Edna attended two conferences for the English-speaking Caribbean sponsored by Alzheimer’s Disease International, contacted the Alzheimer's/ Dementia Rotary Action Group (ADRAG) and the International Alzheimer's Association, and began to mobilise community resources to publish articles in the local press educating the community about the symptoms, causes and treatment of Alzheimer's. Very soon she enlisted Rotarian Anthony who has two family members who suffer from the disease. With assistance from other Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors, and the wider community, they were able to pull-off the inaugural Alzheimer’s awareness walk. 

Leading up to this event Rotarians Edna and Anthony Clarke did a presentation on Alzheimer's at the Ebenezer Thomas Primary School Early Act Club. The idea is to educate persons of all ages, as this disease ultimately affects the entire family.

According to the Rotary Club of Road Town, a number of activities are being planned to increase Alzheimer's awareness and education throughout this year and beyond. The next major activity is planned for September 21, 2015 which is World Alzheimer's Day.

“We at the Rotary Club of Road Town are looking forward to actively supporting Rotarians Edna and Anthony as they continue their mission. We're also delighted that a number of Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Tortola and the Rotary Club Sunrise of Road Town came out to support this community effort. And we must again mention the active support from Rotaract, Interact, and also Early Act, making this a true "Family of Rotary" event," Rotary Club of Road Town’s Public Image Director, Lavina Liburd stated.

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