Population aging has become increasingly severe, and geriatric health issues have become more pronounced than ever, with Alzheimer’s Disease standing as one of the most pressing concerns. Recently, an exhibition focused on Alzheimer’s Disease was held in Shanghai Starriver Bilingual School, organized by Jason Li from 11-7.

To begin with, while both involve declines in physical and cognitive abilities, what is the difference between normal aging and Alzheimer’s disease?

The answer is that Alzheimer’s Disease is not a natural part of aging. Alzheimer’s Disease is a neurodegenerative disease that causes progressive deterioration in memory, language, judgment, and other cognitive functions at a rate far exceeding normal aging, disrupting their normal life. To clarify the difference between normal aging and early Alzheimer’s symptoms, the exhibition features an interactive flip wall. Each block displays a behavior (e.g., struggling to follow complex sentences or multi-step instructions) on one side and indicates whether it is a sign of normal aging or an indication of Alzheimer’s disease on the other. While entertaining the audience, it educates them interactively about the scientific knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease.

The exhibition also includes three informative posters. They help students gain a scientific understanding of Alzheimer’s Disease, introduce its typical symptoms, and offer professional knowledge about daily care for patients. Moreover, the exhibition provides the Montreal Cognitive Scale, encouraging students to assist the elderly around them with preliminary screening and to guard against potential disease risks in advance.

People nowadays lack the knowledge of the difference between normal aging and the early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Beyond this, many elders avoid medical intervention due to fear of stigma and discrimination associated with the disease. Eventually, it may cause a significant decline in these elders’ quality of life. It is our hope that this exhibition will dispel common misconceptions, encourage students and teachers to view Alzheimer’s Disease through a scientific, compassionate lens, and inspire proactive care for the health of older adults in our community. Together, we can support a society where elders age with dignity, understanding, and support.