Leaders turn out to support Alzheimers Awareness Month

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — A special Alzheimers Awareness ‘wave' yesterday morning at the Suigaula Ole Atuvasa Beach Park in Utulei drew a big crowd of supporters, including Lt. Governor Lemanu Peleti Palepoi Sialega Mauga (2nd from right) and Port Administration director Taimalelagi Dr. Claire Poumele (far right), along with officials and employees of various government departments and agencies.

Seated (right) is HC Afoa Moega Lutu, whose children and family members are among those spearheading efforts to bring awareness to Alzheimers. 

Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga has proclaimed November as Alzheimers Awareness Month, and he is calling upon the people of American Samoa “to learn more about Alzheimers and to support individuals living with this disease — and their caregivers — by supporting and appreciating our loved ones” who are living with this irreversible and progressive brain disease “that slowly erodes precious memories, thinking skills, and the ability to perform simple tasks.”

Worldwide, according to Gov. Lolo, nearly 44 million people have Alzheimers or related dementia. Locally, American Samoa’s Territorial Administration on Aging (TAOA) has identified at least 29 of their clients as having dementia.

Nearly two-thirds of those with Alzheimers are women, and it is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. The American Samoa Government “recognizes the need for more resources for local residents to enable greater support of those living with Alzheimers…” as well as “those who care and provide for them, sharing their loved one’s emotional, physical, and financial strains.”

Lolo concluded, “We seek to honor the compassion of the caregivers, remember those we have lost, and press toward the next great scientific breakthrough.”