Viaa Expands Dementia Awareness Campaign with Lions
The Virgin Islands Alzheimer’s Association recently held a hybrid presentation for the Lions Club of Tortola to highlight early warning signs of dementia and honour their longstanding community partnership. The initiative comes as the association gears up for World Alzheimer’s Month in September under the theme, 'The Earlier You Know, the More You Can Do.'
The Virgin Islands Alzheimer’s Association (VIAA) has continued its territory-wide community awareness campaign with a hybrid presentation delivered to members of the Lions Club of Tortola, focusing on recognising the early warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
During the session held earlier this week, attendees received valuable guidance on identifying subtle shifts in memory, thinking, behaviour, and daily functioning. The presentation underscored the critical value of early detection, explaining how timely evaluation enables individuals and their families to access essential support services and make proactive plans for long-term care.
The gathering also provided an opportunity to reflect on the enduring partnership between the Lions Club and the VIAA. Members took time to reminisce about the service club's foundational involvement with the association from its earliest days, paying tribute to the leadership and dedication of the late Carvin Malone, whose contributions played a key role in establishing VIAA's outreach programmes.
Williams emphasised that this legacy continues to drive their current mission across the Territory. She noted that their relationship with the Lions Club of Tortola is an essential part of the organisation's identity, built on a shared commitment to community support. "As we look back on the support and leadership that helped us from our earliest days, including the contributions of the late Carvin Malone, we are reminded that this work has always been about community," Williams said. "Today, we continue that legacy by educating our community about the early warning signs of Alzheimer's, encouraging early action, and making sure families know they are not alone." The presentation serves as a prelude to World Alzheimer’s Month in September, during which the VIAA is urging residents across the Virgin Islands to learn more about dementia.
This year’s global theme, "The Earlier You Know, the More You Can Do," highlights how prompt diagnosis empowers families to make informed decisions and secure necessary care. Throughout September, the VIAA will host a series of educational initiatives and community dialogues. The association announced that full details of the upcoming schedule will be shared soon, inviting residents, families, civic organisations, businesses, and service clubs to get involved and support the cause.
Primary source: VINO