ALZHEIMER HELLAS
Name of good practice | GREEK ASSOCIATION OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND RELATED DISORDERS |
Name of organisation | ALZHEIMER HELLAS |
Website | https://www.alzheimer-hellas.gr/ |
Email Address | info@alzheimer-hellas.gr |
City, Country | Thessaloniki, Greece |
Sector | Alzheimer |
SHORT DESCRIPTION
The Greek Association of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders (Alzheimer Hellas) is a non for profit organization that was founded in 1995, by relatives of patients suffering from Alzheimer Disease as well as by doctors of all specialties – mainly by Neurologists and Psychiatrists and also by other experts (such as psychologists, social workers, physiotherapists, etc.) that deal with the problems caused by this disease and by other types of dementia. Today, Alzheimer Hellas operates two Day Care Centers in Thessaloniki and has over 4.000 members.
The mission of the Greek Association of Alzheimer’s Disease is:
- the early diagnosis of dementia by scientists
- the promotion of research
- education and training for all the stakeholders
- the development of Care Units for patients with Alzheimer’s Disease
- the provision of useful information and advice (24hour help-line) on dementia problems (caring, legal or financial issues)
- the presentation of lectures by health professionals and informal caregivers, covering all aspects of Alzheimer’s Disease
- the development of professional seminars during the whole year.
The association’s aim is to offer advices concerning the care of the patients, information and services for the people affected and their families. Also, to offer mutual help to the family members of the patients in order to reduce the social, economic and emotional cost deriving from the long care of people suffering from dementia. Lastly, the association attempts to publicize the social needs of the population affected and to inform the public in order to be acquainted with the issue.
WHY HAS IT BEEN SELECTED AS A BEST PRACTICE?
It has been selected as a best practice due to the variety of services which offer to people with dementia and their caregivers. The Greek Association of Alzheimer’s disease and Related Disorders provides neuropsychological assessment and diagnosis, physiotherapy, physical exercise educational programs, cognitive therapy and psychotherapeutic programs to people with dementia. The services provided to caregivers are family therapy, individual counseling, educational programs, relaxation techniques programs, support group and counseling.
Alzheimer Hellas, since 2000, organizes Pan-Hellenic Interdisciplinary Conferences in addition to informative lectures and seminars for health professionals, caregivers, general public etc. Since 1995, the association is an active member of International and European Alzheimer’s Associations and participates in every major conference with presentations of researches and papers on the field of dementia.