Between September 18 and 21, the iconic State House of Dominica will be bathed in purple light, as the Caribbean nation joins a global movement to shine a spotlight on Alzheimer’s disease and all forms of dementia. This meaningful public initiative is the result of a collaborative partnership between the Dominica Dementia Foundation (DDF) and the Office of the President, led by Her Excellency Sylvanie Burton D.A.H.
The purple illumination will run from dusk through dawn each night, a visual symbol of Dominica’s unified solidarity for individuals navigating life with dementia and Alzheimer’s, as well as the unpaid caregivers and family members who stand by them every day. Organizers of the campaign emphasize that dementia reshapes family dynamics in countless unseen ways: loved ones often step into roles as full-time caregivers, primary financial supporters, and steady sources of emotional and practical help that rarely receive public recognition.
Through the symbolic purple lighting of the State House, organizers shared a message of affirmation: “we want every resident living with this illness, and every caregiver supporting a loved one, to know that they are seen, they are valued, and they are not alone.”
This annual awareness campaign aligns with World Alzheimer’s Day, a global observance held every September 21 that aims to expand public understanding of dementia and dismantle the harmful social stigma that still surrounds the condition. As the most prevalent form of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease continues to represent one of the most pressing public health challenges for aging populations across every region of the world.
For the Dominica Dementia Foundation, this year’s observance carries extra weight, as the organization marks a major milestone: its 10th year of operation. Officially launched on September 2, 2016, DDF has grown from a new grassroots group into a cornerstone institution for dementia advocacy, public education, and caregiver support across Dominica.
The campaign also dovetails with September’s national recognition as the Month of the Elderly, a yearly observance held in partnership with the Dominica Council on Ageing. The month-long initiative creates space for the nation to reaffirm its commitment to upholding the dignity, respect, and care of older Dominicans, including those living with neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia.
In a closing statement, DDF noted that the overlapping observances serve as a critical reminder: supporting older people and building inclusive, compassionate communities is a shared collective responsibility. Through this work, the foundation aims to build a Dominica where no one has to face the challenges of dementia in isolation.