RIYADH: Students at Al-Faisal University in Riyadh commemorated World Alzheimer’s Day at the main hall of the campus on Wednesday.

The event, entitled “To remember them,” aimed to educate about Alzheimer’s disease through on-site physicians and dieticians from King Faisal Specialist Hospital, according to a university spokesman.

Several photographs highlighted the nature of the disease, while the latest technology showcased documentaries and clips about the disease.

A special desk was installed to teach attendees how they could reduce the risk of acquiring Alzheimer’s disease.

The highlight of the day was that visitors could experience the difficulties of Alzheimer’s patients by wearing special spectacles, gloves and hearing aides.

Karam Hamweyah, fifth-year medical student at Al-Faisal University and organizer of the exhibition, said that the program was to awaken the masses on the importance of the Alzheimer’s disease, which could affect their elders.

“With approximately 150 volunteers from the campus, we were able to make an impact on visitors about the disease,” Hamweyah said.

Today, Saudi Alzheimer’s Disease Association (SADA) concludes a four-week awareness campaign about the disease throughout the Kingdom.

The organization released 10,000 balloons into the air to mark the World Alzheimer’s Day in Riyadh.

The event dubbed “Purple Sky” aimed to attract the attention of all categories of society including writers, thinkers, artists, and media men to show their solidarity toward Alzheimer patients.

More than 12 government and private universities and charity societies took part in the campaign.

SADA vice chairperson Princess Madawi bint Muhammed bin Abdullah bin Abdulrahman, who was present at the Purple Sky program said the campaign was an extension to SADA’s awareness, health and social plans.

She added that the most important of which was the opening of outpatient clinics for Alzheimer patients in a number of government hospitals.