World Alzheimer's Day 2027 is on Tuesday

About World Alzheimer's Day

Dementia is not a normal part of aging, though age is its biggest risk factor. WHO estimates that 57 million people were living with dementia in 2021, with nearly 10 million new cases each year, and Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause, accounting for an estimated 60 to 70 percent of cases. Many people still delay seeking help because of stigma or a belief that nothing can be done, so the day focuses on awareness, timely diagnosis and the care and support available after one.

Alzheimer's Disease International, a federation of Alzheimer and dementia associations founded in 1984, marked the first World Alzheimer's Day on September 21, 1994. According to ADI, its chairman Brian Moss signed a declaration that day calling on everyone to raise awareness of dementia, witnessed by ADI president Princess Yasmin Aga Khan and a representative of WHO, with which ADI has had official working relations since 1992.

In 2012 ADI expanded the effort into World Alzheimer's Month, which runs through September, with World Alzheimer's Day still on the 21st. Member associations hold memory walks, fundraisers, information sessions and media campaigns, and ADI publishes a campaign toolkit and theme each year. In the United States, the Alzheimer's Association's separate Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month takes place in June.

Sources: Alzheimer's Disease International: World Alzheimer's Month, Alzheimer's Disease International: Our history, World Health Organization: Dementia fact sheet. How we check dates.

How to mark World Alzheimer's Day

• Learn the early warning signs of dementia, such as memory loss that disrupts daily life or trouble with familiar tasks, and encourage anyone worried about them to see a doctor.
• Offer a few hours of practical help to someone caring for a relative with dementia, such as a meal, an errand or company for their loved one.
• Join or support a memory walk or another event run by your national Alzheimer's or dementia association.
• Ask your doctor about steps that support long-term brain health, such as managing blood pressure, staying active and keeping socially connected.
• Find out whether a dementia-friendly training program runs in your area, and take it with coworkers or neighbors.

World Alzheimer's Day dates