September 8, 2025 | 11:22 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Neurosurgeon Specialist at Siloam Hospital Dhirga Surya Medan, Steven Tandean, reminded that Alzheimer's disease is not just about memory loss in the elderly. "Alzheimer's disease is not just about forgetting. This is a serious condition that affects the quality of life of patients and their families. We want to broaden public awareness to be more concerned about brain health," said Steven Tandean in a press release received by Tempo on September 7, 2025.
Earlier, in order to commemorate World Alzheimer's Day which falls on September 21, Holywings Peduli held a health seminar titled "Recognizing and Preventing Alzheimer's Early" at Helens Night Mart, Medan, in early September 2025. In the event, Steven discussed the early symptoms of Alzheimer's, risk factors, as well as prevention steps through a healthy lifestyle, regular physical activity, maintaining mental health, and brain stimulation through positive activities.
This event aims to increase public awareness about the importance of maintaining brain health while introducing Alzheimer's disease further-a degenerative brain disease that is one of the leading causes of dementia among the elderly.
Commemorating World Alzheimer's Day is also a momentum to observe the condition of Alzheimer's disease in Indonesia. Based on data from Alzheimer Indonesia (ALZI) and international reports, the number of Alzheimer's patients continues to increase. In 2016, the estimated number of patients reached 1.2 million people, projected to soar to 2 million in 2030 and 4 million in 2050. Furthermore, other reports mention that the number could reach 7.5 million patients by 2050.
Unfortunately, there is still a gap between the estimated number and diagnoses. Ministry of Health data shows that during the period of 2021-2023, only about 83,500 dementia patients were recorded to undergo outpatient care, and 2,400 people were hospitalized. However, the actual estimate reached 1.2 million cases.
The economic impact is also significant. The cost burden of Alzheimer's care in Indonesia is estimated to reach Rp 23 trillion per year, not including the loss of family productivity in caring for patients. This condition becomes more urgent considering the increasing elderly population in Indonesia, from 27 million people (10 percent) in 2020, and is estimated to reach 40 million people (13.8 percent) in 2035.
In addition to educational sessions, this seminar also included interactive Q&A sessions and free health checks. The public's presence seemed quite enthusiastic, with many participants actively asking about Alzheimer's.
One of the participants, Siti Rahma (45), who attended with her mother, admitted to feeling helped by this seminar. "I used to only know that Alzheimer's is senility. But after attending this seminar, I understand that this disease is far more serious. Information about care and support for families is very beneficial to me," she said.
Andrew Susanto, Chief Commissioner of the Holywings Group and Chairman of the Holywings Peduli CSR Program, stated that this event is part of the company's commitment to support public health programs. "We want this event to motivate the public to more routinely maintain their health and live a healthy lifestyle," said Andrew Susanto.
For the free health checks for 50 elderly people provided, blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, and uric acid checks are available. The medical check up is carried out by the medical team from RS Siloam Dhirga Surya Medan. In addition to the examination, residents can consult directly with doctors to gain a better understanding of their health check results.
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