Minor Neurocognitive Disorder is a clinical condition characterized by a slight decline in cognitive abilities which, however, is not sufficiently serious to limit the subject’s functionality in daily life activities. Scientific studies have provided consistent evidence that this condition may represent a stage prior to the development of Major Neurocognitive Disorder or Dementia.
From this, it emerges that the early identification of Minor Neurocognitive Disorder opens a window of opportunity for intervention to slow down and, ideally, block the evolution of neurodegeneration at an early stage. Therefore, a global management of the patient with Minor Neurocognitive Disorder is fundamental, from all points of view.
The project of the Puglia Region for the “Fund for Dementia and Alzheimer’s” is coordinated by the Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Brain Aging of the University of Bari at the Pious Foundation of Worship and Religion Cardinal Giovanni Panico Azienda Ospedaliera di Tricase (LE ). Funded by the Ministry of Health, it aims to improve the diagnostic-care path of patients suffering from Neurocognitive Disorder through the homogenization of tools and clinical paths and through raising the awareness of general practitioners and specialists in the area in order to develop a system regional healthcare prepared for the timely inclusion of “Disease Modifying Therapies” for subjects with Minor Neurocognitive Disorder and Major Neurocognitive Disorder.
The “Fund for Dementia and Alzheimer’s” of the Puglia Region also provides for the implementation of non-pharmacological, psycho-educational and psycho-social interventions aimed at adults. Evidence confirms that Neurocognitive Disorder is one of the main factors that cause disability in the elderly and beyond. Despite this, initiatives aimed at raising awareness and improving the management and support of people with these pathologies and their caregivers are very often hindered by stigma, which is still present today in many social contexts. For all this, it becomes a priority to work on the prevention of risk factors and the early stages of the disease, informing and training the community on early symptoms and consequently encouraging a timely diagnosis. One of the final objectives of the project is to make the Apulian communities “Dementia Friendly Community”. For Giovinazzo, a city that has already achieved this objective and has been “Friend of People with Dementia” for some years, the project specifically aims to accelerate the processes of participation of the entire community, through initiatives that help people affected by dementia and those who are close to them feel increasingly understood, respected and supported.
The first initiative in the Giovinazzo area will be represented by a meeting open to all citizens which will be held on Thursday 9 May from 5.30 pm at the “Family Center” located inside the “Scianatico Park”.
Titled “Let’s Remember This First: New Strategies for the Prevention of Dementia”, the meeting will unfold through 4 phases. The first will be represented by institutional greetings from Michele SollecitoMayor of Giovinazzo; Maria Pia CozzariPresident of SCS Anthropos; Mauro Abate, President of Confcooperative Sanità Puglia. The second will concern structured awareness raising in a conversational and interactive form. They will speak: Eleonora RolloNeurologist for the Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Brain Aging, Cardinale Giovanni Panico Hospital – Tricase (Le) on “Neurocognitive disorder and related risk factors”; Stefania Giammarino Biologist and Nutritionist e Anna Rosa IlluzziPhysiotherapist for the Gocce di Memoria Day Center on “Lifestyle”; Raffaele SollecitoPsychologist for the Gocce di Memoria Day Center on “The importance of cognitive stimulation in daily life”; Emanuela TatulliPsychologist and Psychotherapist for the Gocce di Memoria Day Center on “The importance of early diagnosis”.
This will be followed by the formation of focus groups, with voluntary participation, aimed at collecting information on the quality and accessibility of dedicated local services and feedback on how they can be improved. Last, but not least. phase of the seminar will be dedicated to socialization which will also encourage the possibility for participants to ask personal questions to the specialists.
The meeting enjoys the patronage of: Ministry of Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Puglia Region – Department of Health Promotion, Social Wellbeing and Sport for all; Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Brain Aging of the University of Bari, Pia Fondazione Cardinale Giovanni Panico of Tricase. It is promoted by the Coordination Unit of the scientific activities of the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Fund of the Puglia Region in collaboration with the Municipality of Giovinazzo, Confcooperative Sanità Puglia, Puglialzheimer and with the Gocce di Memoria Day Centre, managed by Scs Anthropos.
