4th Alzheimer's Awards Announced in Search of Global Solutions for Better Dementia Care

PARIS, July 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

For the fourth year, the Fondation Médéric Alzheimer and Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) are running Alzheimer's Awards for evidence-based psychosocial interventions for people with dementia and their carers. The purpose of the Award is to promote better care and share best practices. Applications can be submitted from today 19 July until 1 December 2011 at http://www.alz.co.uk/award.

Psychosocial research involves or relates to both the social and psychological aspects of a patient's life. Often this includes the relationship between the personal, internal environment and the wider social world, such as the influence of social and environmental factors on an individual's state of mind or behaviour. This type of research is aimed at supporting and enhancing the quality of life of people with Alzheimer's disease and their carers.

Two Alzheimer's Awards will be given, the first for the best evidence-based psychosocial intervention with a prize of  €18,000. The second award, of €7,000, will be given for the most promising evidence-based psychosocial intervention.

All project proposals and complete application forms should be submitted by email before 1 December 2011. The winners will receive their awards during the 27^th International Conference of Alzheimer's Disease International in London, UK in March 2012.

Dementia is a syndrome that can be caused by a number of progressive disorders that affect memory, thinking, behavior and the ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia.

After age 65, the likelihood of developing dementia roughly doubles every five years. In the World Alzheimer Report 2010, ADI estimated that there are 35.6 million people living with dementia worldwide, increasing to 65.7 million by 2030 and 115.4 million by 2050. The worldwide costs of dementia exceeds 1% of global GDP, at US$604 billion.

The Fondation Médéric Alzheimer is a non-profit organisation that was created in 1999. It aims to increase the knowledge in social sciences related to Alzheimer's disease, to support and promote innovative field projects intended in helping people with Alzheimer's disease and their carers, and to instigate national surveys allowing the analysis of yearly evolutions and geographic disparities.

Alzheimer's Disease International was established in 1984. Just over 25 years later Alzheimer's Disease International is now the international federation of 76 Alzheimer associations around the world, and in official relations with the World Health Organisation.

Sarah Smith, +44(0)207-981-0880, [email protected]

SOURCE Alzheimer's Disease International