On September 27, 2026, hospitals and mental health centers across Egypt, under the umbrella of the General Secretariat for Mental Health and Addiction Treatment, lit up their facades with purple lights to commemorate World Alzheimer's Day 2026. This initiative aimed to raise awareness about Alzheimer's disease, emphasizing the importance of early detection, medical and psychological evaluation, and utilizing specialized services available for the elderly.
The move is part of the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population's efforts to develop mental health services for the elderly, supporting Alzheimer's patients, their families, and caregivers. The ministry also seeks to promote awareness about changes in memory, cognitive abilities, behavior, and daily activities that may occur with aging.
Dr. Ayman Mohamed Abbas, head of the Central Administration of the General Secretariat for Mental Health and Addiction Treatment, explained that the mental health services for the elderly include screening, evaluation, and follow-up, as well as therapeutic and rehabilitative interventions for cases requiring specialized care. Additionally, psychological and social support is provided to patients' families and caregivers.
The services provided by the General Secretariat's facilities include specialized psychiatric clinics for the elderly in several hospitals and centers, as well as residential services for cases that require it and day care programs. These programs allow patients to benefit from therapeutic and rehabilitative activities while maintaining their connection with their families and communities.
Dr. Abbas highlighted that day care programs aim to support cognitive abilities, improve mood, and enhance quality of life through activities tailored to each patient's health and psychological condition. He stressed the importance of monitoring continuous changes in memory, cognitive abilities, behavior, or daily activities in the elderly, as these may indicate the need for specialized medical and psychological evaluation.
Dr. Mayssa Eid Afifi, a consultant in psychiatric medicine at Ain Shams University and director of the Geriatric Psychiatry Department, emphasized that early evaluation of cognitive changes helps determine the nature of the condition and develop an appropriate treatment and follow-up plan. She underlined the importance of family involvement in monitoring the patient and addressing their daily needs.
The General Secretariat's facilities provide specialized services in geriatric psychiatry, including psychological evaluation, therapeutic follow-up, and management of accompanying psychological disorders in the elderly, as well as rehabilitation and day care services tailored to each case. The participation of hospitals and centers in World Alzheimer's Day activities aims to enhance knowledge about the disease and available services, encouraging families to seek specialized medical evaluation when they notice persistent changes in memory, behavior, or daily abilities in the elderly.
Key points
- The Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population is working to develop mental health services for the elderly, including Alzheimer's patients, through its General Secretariat for Mental Health and Addiction Treatment.
- The General Secretariat's facilities provide a range of services, including specialized psychiatric clinics, residential services, and day care programs, to support Alzheimer's patients and their families.
- Early detection and evaluation of cognitive changes are crucial for determining the nature of Alzheimer's disease and developing an effective treatment plan.
