An interview with Konstantina Rodi about Greek News and Radio FL
Silently but in an organized manner, some people carry out their work and offer services to our fellow citizens who need help. This is exactly how the Alzheimer Society of Athens operates, and for' I discussed this with great interest with PatraMblekou, the Organization's communications manager, about a difficult issue but one that -fortunately- is finding the support it deserves!
How was the Alzheimer Society of Athens created?
It is a non-profit association, initially. It is called “Company” as this is how it has been established to call these organizations internationally (Associations). It is an Association of Patients and Caregivers and was created in 2002 by health professionals dealing with dementia, doctors, health professionals, patients and caregivers.
The first idea to create it came about...
...to healthcare professionals and families.
From people who were already living with this disease.
The president and inspirer of the project is Dr. Paraskevi Sakka, a neurologist-psychiatrist who is also president of the National Observatory for Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease, a state institution.
Although You provide your services for free, there are actions of yours that are not funded by the state, right?
State grants basically cover employee salaries and some operating expenses. There are some actions for which we need support from individuals, our members, companies that include these programs in corporate social responsibility, for some e.g. innovative actions such as “staying connected” which was implemented during the pandemic and aimed to train 120 families in the use of tablets, to provide the tablets and to network them with the structures so that they can receive services remotely, online. And of course, the elderly who are not familiar with technology, can talk to their loved ones through communication applications. This program was funded by the Tima Public Benefit Foundation and the Ioannis S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, with a contribution from Vodafone in kind – in general, such actions beyond our “normal operation” are carried out with non-state resources.
I asked you why you have created an organization useful to the world, which should logically exist as a state organization.
I understand what you mean, however, in other countries abroad with much more organized health systems, it is common for these types of services to be offered by organizations that are non-profit entities and offer specialized services on a large scale. The state finances these organizations that offer free specialized, high-quality services. This is found in Europe and America.
It is a fortunate coincidence that your organization exists for our fellow citizens.
Certainly the need is great and the structures (Day Centers for people with Dementia, Mobile Units, Dementia Counseling Stations, End-of-Life Structures, etc.) are fortunately increasing in Greece. The Alzheimer Society of Athens currently operates nine structures and four mobile units - if we also count the “Home Care” service for Attica, there are five mobile units, we have counseling stations in collaboration with the National Inter-Municipal Network of Healthy Cities and there is a provision for other structures to start operating soon in our country. In general, there has been great progress in recent years. And this is because there is a great need and the state is beginning to understand the dimension of the problem. As far as the training of caregivers is concerned, we are making a great effort by constantly organizing new educational and psychotherapeutic programs, providing ongoing support for information or briefing on any issue that arises. We have the 1102 helpline that operates from Monday to Friday and receives many calls from caregivers on various issues, on how to manage an incident that has arisen, or some of their thoughts such as "I want to take my father on vacation with me, how can I help him", "what public services are available near me"? And the School for Carers of People with Dementia which is a series of educational seminars for family caregivers that cover all issues surrounding dementia care.
Is there a stigma around dementia today?
Stigma accompanies the disease. Steps are constantly being taken to combat it. If we take into account'In our view, over the last decade, we have made progress, mainly due to the intensive effort made by organizations like ours to inform the population about the disease. We make a great effort through information and awareness campaigns in order to provide correct information to the general public, so that people understand what dementia is and why people who suffer from it should not be socially isolated but should be treated with respect, and remain as active as possible, as long as their condition allows them. When the above is achieved, a more general positive effect is observed on the course of the health of these individuals but also on the quality of life of their caregivers/families.
In very general terms, what is the ideal environment for a patient suffering from dementia?
The treatment of Alzheimer's disease requires a combination of medical treatment and monitoring, as well as non-pharmacological interventions, in day centers (occupational therapy, cognitive reinforcement, speech therapy, physical exercise, activities that aim to keep the patient mentally and physically healthy for as long as possible, delaying the progression of the disease as much as possible). Beyond that, the ideal for a person with dementia is to continue living and being active in the environment they lived in before.
get sick, but under control – with supervision. To continue doing the things he did, to the extent possible, not to change his routine, not to lock himself in the house for fear of getting lost, to have his autonomy but with supervision, to have someone with him. Certainly driving will not be able to continue - I mention it as an example - as it will constitute a public danger but also for the person himself. In general, however, there should be inclusion, action in all sectors. We also do programs in museums, guided tours specifically for people with dementia. We had a large program that is still running, “Dementia-Friendly Communities”, according to which taxi drivers, supermarket employees, or employees in KEP and public services are informed and trained on how to deal with a person with dementia and, in general, a person of advanced age.
For the training of caregivers, you mentioned that you organize training seminars.
The Alzheimer Society of Athens has been actively supporting people with dementia, their families and their caregivers for years. Recognizing the burden that caregivers of people with dementia bear - both physical and psychological - as well as the practical issues that arise from care. The institution of the Alzheimer Society of Athens' School of Caregivers is one of the most important educational actions for caregivers that has been implemented for more than 10 years by our Society. It is a series of in-person seminars for family caregivers of people with dementia with the aim of psychological, educational and social support so that they can acquire the resources to better cope with the heavy burden and demands of care. It is organized several times throughout the year in various areas of Attica and in Arta, in order to serve as many caregivers as possible. For example, this year they have been held in the center of Athens, in Piraeus and a new cycle will soon begin in Peristeri. It includes theoretical elements about what dementia is, with some scientific aspects so that caregivers can understand the condition, followed by the section with practical instructions (how should I care for a person with dementia, how do I behave). Some scenarios are discussed and the seminars are interactive. The last hour includes questions and answers, so topics are discussed on a case-by-case basis. One section also concerns legal issues, e.g. Representing a person with dementia, as he or she cannot sometimes represent himself or herself, what benefits he or she is entitled to and what he or she is not, what social structures and public services exist, etc. A brief presentation, in other words. These seminars are a first step in connecting the caregiver with our company and then he or she is guided further. That is, if he or she needs any other service, then he or she continues with the service he or she needs, such as nursing service.
All aspects are covered.
All aspects of care.
From the day the Alzheimer Society of Athens was created until today, how do you see things going in Greece regarding the course of the disease? Are we progressing?
Worldwide, people with dementia are increasing, mainly because life expectancy is increasing, as dementia affects 98% of elderly people – secondarily because we have learned to recognize the disease and have better diagnostic methods. It is not that the disease suddenly affects more people. The burden on countries is great, and on Greece of course, if you consider that the annual cost of dementia was 4 trillion worldwide 1,3 years ago and is expected to reach 2030 trillion by 2,8, you realize that we are talking about a great burden on the health system. In Greece, we are not talking about these numbers, but about correspondingly large ones, as we are talking about approximately 1,5 million people - if we include the fact that each patient has approximately 2-3 people from each family taking care of them. Calculating from global data, approximately 250.000 people suffer from dementia and 350.000 are in the pre-dementia stage, so you see that the issue concerns an extremely large share of Greek citizens.
What is it that, if we add it to our daily lives, will help us not to be led towards this disease?
There are things that seem to help prevent the disease, there are modifiable risk factors. For example, controlling vascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity), which is achieved with medication, a healthy diet and regular physical exercise. Mental exercise and, in general, activities that stimulate mental functions, avoiding stress and an active social life also play a protective role. If we take care of the above, we have a good chance of slowing down the onset and progression of the disease. A person who does not take care of all these issues may get sick 5-10 years earlier than a person who does. I say this because we also see people who pay attention to all of the above and still get sick, this will happen too. However, if they do not, then the chances of the disease appearing earlier are increased.
So let's take care of ourselves as best we can.
Let's have a good mood too! Let's be socially active, because that's important too.
As much as possible.
Yes, because we live in a time with many challenges. It is an investment to take care of your health. Having a good old age should be non-negotiable!
Find more about the services offered free of charge by the Alzheimer Society of Athens, its actions, as well as the exact locations of its structures, on the website https://alzheimerathens.gr
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