The first Alzheimer’s association was founded in 1980 in the USA. Today Alzheimer’s associations are established in 68 countries and incorporated in the International Association of Alzheimer’s disease. 7th of April of 2001 was decided to be World Health Day by World Health Organization. This was done taking into consideration mental health issues. Taking into account the discriminations related to mental health in a society, the UNO supports the governments, medical institutions and individuals in every possible way against the negative consequences of this phenomenon.
The Armenian Association of Alzheimer's disease (АDAA) was founded in 2002 by Professor Michail I. Aghajanov. ADAA is a public, non-profit organization.
АDAA aims at reducing the prevalence of Alzheimer's disease applying latest achievements in the field of science as well as enhancing attention and care to individuals, their families and caregivers. Creation of this organization is the most effective way of rendering assistance probably to a greater number of people. The organization provides services to sick people in Armenia and supports Armenians in Diaspora. ADAA aims at:
- Studying social and medical-biological aspects of Alzheimer’s disease
- Promoting the research of Alzheimer’s disease etiology, risk factors and treatment methods as well as revealing the peculiarities of the disease manifestation
- Rendering assistance to the development of scientific fields directed to the enhancement of our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease
- Improving life quality of patients with dementia and their caregivers
- Reducing the psychological loading of caregivers in families
- Propaganda of mental health principles and teaching patients to overcome the fear, silence and stigma related to the illness
- Increasing public awareness concerning the disease in Armenia and Diaspora
- Promoting the government’s and society’s care as well as inclusion in the field of Alzheimer’s disease study
- Promoting interaction between experts in various spheres within the frameworks of АDAA