Caring Lot International Initiative, United Healthcare and Other Stakeholders to Mark World Alzheimer’s Day 2026
ABUJA, Nigeria: Caring Lot International Initiative (CLII), in collaboration with United Healthcare International Limited, the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) and other strategic stakeholders, will commemorate World Alzheimer’s Day on September 21, 2026, with a public awareness and health programme in Abuja.
The organisers are inviting senior citizens, caregivers, families, healthcare professionals, government representatives, civil society organisations, development partners, businesses and members of the public to participate in the programme.
The event will be held under the theme, “Know Early, Care Better: Changing the Story of Alzheimer’s in Nigeria.” It supports the official 2026 global campaign theme of Alzheimer’s Disease International, “The Earlier You Know, the More You Can Do: A Dementia Diagnosis Matters.”
The programme will promote greater awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, encourage early detection and advocate compassionate care for affected persons. It will also draw attention to the physical, emotional and financial pressures faced by families and caregivers.
According to the World Health Organization, about 57 million people were living with dementia globally in 2021, with more than 60 per cent residing in low and middle-income countries. Nearly 10 million new cases occur annually, while Alzheimer’s disease accounts for between 60 and 70 per cent of dementia cases.
The WHO stresses that dementia is not an inevitable consequence of ageing. Persistent memory loss, confusion, difficulty performing familiar tasks, changes in behaviour and problems with communication should therefore not be dismissed as ordinary signs of old age.
For Caring Lot International Initiative, the annual observance forms part of its continuing commitment to promoting the wellbeing and dignity of senior citizens and supporting the families and caregivers responsible for their daily care.
The Chairman of CLII, Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, has maintained a strong commitment to Alzheimer’s awareness and the broader welfare of senior citizens. His involvement reflects the organisation’s determination to ensure that issues affecting older persons receive greater attention within communities and across Nigeria.
Speaking ahead of the programme, the Chief Executive Officer of Caring Lot International Initiative, Engr. Lawunmi Ismail, urged families and communities to pay closer attention to persistent changes in memory, behaviour and daily functioning among older persons.
She said people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia must be treated with patience, dignity and compassion, while their caregivers should receive the information, encouragement and practical assistance required to support them.
“Knowing early gives families the opportunity to understand, plan, care and support better,” Ismail said.
She explained that limited public understanding and the stigma associated with dementia often prevent families from seeking timely medical assistance. Greater awareness, she added, would help Nigerians recognise dementia as a medical condition requiring professional attention, rather than a spiritual problem or an unavoidable part of ageing.
United Healthcare International Limited and other healthcare stakeholders will support the medical and health intervention components of the programme. Their participation will help provide professional guidance on recognising possible signs of dementia, seeking appropriate medical assessment and supporting people living with the condition.
ACCI is supporting the initiative as part of its broader commitment to healthcare, families and community development. Other participating stakeholders and partners will contribute to the awareness activities, caregiver engagement and public education components of the programme.
CLII acknowledged the contributions of United Healthcare International Limited, ACCI and its numerous partners and stakeholders, whose collaboration continues to make its programmes for senior citizens and caregivers possible.
The organisation called for stronger cooperation among government institutions, healthcare providers, civil society organisations, businesses, development partners and families to improve dementia awareness, diagnosis, treatment, caregiving and social support.
CLII encouraged members of the public to participate in the World Alzheimer’s Day programme, learn about the warning signs of dementia and help challenge the stigma and misconceptions surrounding the condition.
It reaffirmed that its work would extend beyond the annual commemoration through sustained Alzheimer’s awareness, senior citizens’ welfare programmes, caregiver support and community-based health interventions.
World Alzheimer’s Day is observed annually on September 21 as the focal point of World Alzheimer’s Month, a global campaign coordinated by Alzheimer’s Disease International.
According to CLII, every older person deserves to age with dignity, every caregiver deserves support, and every family should have access to reliable information about dementia.
