Forget-me-not
the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association of Slovenia

Mail: zzppd@ mail.ljudmila.org
Studenec 48, SI - 1260 Ljubljana Polje, SLOVENIA

"Forget-me-not", the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association of Slovenia , established in 1997, is a non-governmental organisation aimed at raising awareness of all forms of dementia and other mental disorders encountered in old age.

Through our activities, members of the Association focus on meeting growing needs in this field in our society, especially among those affected by the disease. We have learned that, more often than not, caregivers were unfamiliar with symptoms of dementia. For us, this was the main incentive to publish several articles about dementia in different newspapers and journals. There have also been quite a few radio and television programs on the subject, all with the same goal: to make people more familiar with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Furthermore, we are trying to ensure that the latest information on providing the best possible care for those with Alzheimer's disease is available to caregivers. In 1999 we started courses for caregivers who are involved in caring for family members with dementia. The courses include education about the disease and training in providing care. They, also present a unique opportunity for caregivers to share experiences.

In addition, we started a telephone and Web help-line. We encourage caregivers and family members to take more interest in maintaining not only the daily activities, but also the intellectual functions of their close ones who suffer from the disease. Among other things we have prepared brochures with examples of tasks for maintaining and strengthening memory, attention, and other intellectual functions, which are adapted for people with early dementia.

The exchange of experience and knowledge, as well as collaboration regarding new approaches, stimulates and motivates professional workers. Psychogeriatric symposium is organised every second year.

Our goals for the future include:

organising support groups for caregivers,

further promoting training of staff who attend to demented patients,

developing models of appropriate care for demented patients,

preparing new brochures and leaflets about dementia,

further developing a network of medical professionals who would be interested in problems of mental health of the elderly in other parts of Slovenia,

lobbying the authorities and other competent services on behalf of people with dementia and their families,

encouraging advanced knowledge of early diagnosis, treatment and prevention of dementia,

co-operating with similar foreign organisations.