With the attendance of 20 international and local experts in the field, the conference will launch the international award for research and studies related to the disease.

Deputy Board Director, Director of SADA’s Executive Committee and head of the conference’s organizing committee Princess Madawi bint Mohammad revealed the award is a reflection of the kind and generous gestures by the late Crown Prince Sultan in the humanitarian and philanthropic fields. “The award will be reviewed by the association's consulting board for approval and will be launched during the conference,” said Princess Madawi.

The princess also pointed out the association considers the conference an important national step in combating this growing disease and a start for rehabilitation and health care programs for this condition.

Princess Madawi indicated SADA is working hand in hand with its strategic partners through a number of cooperation agreements in the medical, philanthropic, academic and media fields.

On the other hand, head of the consultation board Dr. Qasim Al-Qassabi said the conference will shed light on the latest medical and research findings on Alzheimer’s and new methods and ways to train specialists in the field.

“Enhancing the services provided for Alzheimer’s patients is also one of the conference goals, as well as providing support to their families and caregivers,” said Al-Qassabi, adding the conference is considered a tool to elevate all forms of scientific and professional communication to contribute to the development of society.

“The 1st Alzheimer's Disease Conference will bring together all experiences of participating international experts in one place to reach new ways of presenting necessary care for patients,” he said.

Board member at SADA and head of the Alzheimer caregivers' committee Fahd Al-Wahaby anticipated the number of sufferers to exceed 1 million in the coming few years, pointing out their numbers were recently accelerating.

“Efforts to build awareness of the disease and develop better ways to present health care for old people need to be increased,” said Al-Wahaby, adding the association is following up with the Health Services Council, which recommended health care services to be offered to Alzheimer patients in all government health care sectors, and provide a chain of services essential for this category. “The council also recommended that Alzheimer’s disease should be included in insurance policies,” said Al-Wahaby.

Supervisor General for SADA Abdulaziz Al-Magooshi said the conference, which is the first of its kind in the Middle East, is a great opportunity for experts to meet under one roof and exchange information and expertise.

He added SADA is working closely and intensively toward communicating with international bodies and associations to learn up-close the latest research, studies and numbers of Alzheimer’s patients.

“The SADA conference will help in completing the database on Alzheimer’s the association is building,” he said, adding the association will sigh four agreements during the conference with the Health Services Council, King Saud University, King Saud bin Abdualaziz Medical University and King Faisal University.

“SADA worked with a strong framework by teaming up with expert bodies to avoid duplicity in efforts and competition in attracting support, especially with the fluctuation of donations and increase in the costs of advanced care services.”

During the last three years, the association carried out many awareness programs and signed agreements with philanthropic societies.