Free screening tests and consultations for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia will be made today at the pond ‘Ariana’ in the capital Sofia. Every citizen willing to take the tests can do it from 11:00a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The initiative is on occasion of World Alzheimer’s day – September 21, celebrated each year since 1994.

Approximately 24 million people in the world suffer from Alzheimer. In Bulgaria they are 50 000.

Using the screening test (the examination takes 3 to 5 minutes) Alzheimer’s disease can be diagnosed. It affects 3 to 6% of the population on age of 65 to 79 years and up to 30% of the people on age above 80 years.

The main problem is late diagnosis when the disease has already progressed and elderly people have become completely incapable of taking care for themselves. First symptoms of existing problem are incapability of finding the right words when communicating, difficulties with organizing of transport or using telephone, need of help when shopping.
At the later stages the disease leads to total loss of memory and ability to move and talk.