PAVIA – La dementia it’s one of the disorders increasing among the world population: the World Health Organization predicts that by 2030 it will affect 75 million people and 132 million by 2050with a annual increase of 10 million new cases. This incidence also affects our country: in Lombardy alone it is estimated that people over 65 suffering from dementia reach 164 thousand. The ISS Dementia Observatory estimates in particular, in the province of Pavia, the presence of 9,000 cases of which 6,000 with Alzheimer’s disease. However, the number of users diagnosed with dementia who access social and health services is reduced compared to literature estimates due to the diagnostic delay of the pathology and the hidden nature of the phenomenon.
The project was born to respond to this phenomenon Rememberintegrated territorial dementia network, financed by the Cariplo Foundation as part of the “Welfare in Aging” 2023 tender. A synergy involving Mondino IRCCS Foundationproject leader, ASP Pavia And Domicare Consortium territorial headquarters of Pavia. The objective is to create and consolidate a network that connects all the local actors who care for those affected by dementia and their families and supports the integration of services. Intense work, which began at the end of 2023 and in these first months has resulted in many meetings with all potential interested parties in the project: ATS Pavia, ASST Paviaall the CDCD of the provincethe referents of General practitionersi Social services of the Municipality of Pavia he was born in Pavese Social Consortiumthe network of pharmacies.
One of the key elements of the project is to provide different services based on different targets, creating points of interest and information useful to family members and caregivers, but also to professionals such as general practitioners, social workers and operators, who come across cases of cognitive impairment. This emerging sensitivity is of great help in intervening on this disease, as patients are not treated due to shame, inexperience or fear, denying them the possibility of intervening in a preventive phase.
The model created is very effective and has among its objectives the creation of two structures available to users: the Dementia Operations Centre and it Information desk, operational since March 4, two points of reference that can communicate with both professionals and families and caregivers. Here family members, already put to the test by their loved one’s illness, can ask for information on the care and assistance paths, participate in training sessions and initiatives dedicated to them or learn more about other elements of interest. The Dementia Operations Centre, located at the Santa Margherita di Pavia, answers the number 0382 380600every day from Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 13.00 or to the dedicated email [email protected]: it is also possible to access it physically at the same times, by appointment. Two neuropsychologists and a social worker work here and have already started welcoming and meeting families, offering them information and listening to their needs and concerns. Also at Santa Margherita there is also an information desk available by appointment from Monday to Friday afternoon. Furthermore, there are two other information points available to users, one at the Mondino Foundation Neurological Institute, active from Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 13.00 and a second in Lomellina, at the Mondino Health Center – ARS Medica, in via del Carmine 27 in Vigevano, always active from Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 13.00.
Another distinctive element of the project is to create a information network to support the territory, which is carrying out an information campaign aimed at those close to the patient (professionals and family members) to enhance the services available to them with brochures and posters. The places involved are the CDCD (centre for Cognitive Disorders and Dementia), general practitioners’ clinics, the provincial network of pharmacies, the social services of the Province, community homes and clinics, parishes, promotional associations social and territorial CAFs. A widespread distribution that allows the entire citizenry to be informed, in contexts where it may be easier to intercept the most fragile individuals and their families. Among the subjects involved in the network, also the family associations have an important role in promoting awareness among citizens on the topic: a solid partnership has been established with ADMA Pavia, the Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease Association, an association of family members who are supporting the communication of Ricor-Dare’s services thanks to the contribution of their volunteers . These activities also have a purpose of raising awareness which aims to make communities increasingly closer to the topic of dementia, so as not to create a wall of distance with the rest of the citizens. This type of illness, in fact, carries with it a stigma which in the eyes of family members makes them incurable and, as such, they are experienced with distance, almost creating shame: an element which influences making many of these cases hidden and not considered, therefore not adequately treated.
The latest development of the project in chronological order is the opening, expected by the end of May, of the Alzheimer’s coffee of Pavia and Stradella. These are informal meeting places for elderly people with dementia and their caregivers to be together and discuss the difficulties encountered and will be scheduled once a week. This project has been active in Vigevano for years: consolidated and appreciated by its users, it will be integrated into the project. For those interested, simply contact the Dementia Operations Center and report your interest. Moreover, they are expected open day on memory disorders, open to citizens in central places for citizen aggregation.
Tags: territorial network treat prevent dementia
