Anti-Stigma Award
At its 33rd annual conference in Helsinki last month (16-18 October) the winners of Alzheimer Europe’s 2023 Anti-Stigma-Award were announced.
First prize went to Touchstone’s BME (Black and Minority Ethnic) Dementia Service in Yorkshire, UK, which provides specialist support to people living with memory problems or a diagnosis of dementia and their carers/family members from Black and Minority Ethnic communities, predominantly the South Asian community, living in and around Leeds.
Second prize was awarded to Rainbow Neighbours, Brighton and Hove LGBT Switchboard’s initiative which takes a creative approach to addressing the stigma, loneliness and isolation that can be experienced by LGBTQ+ people living with dementia, particularly those who are living in residential care settingsSwitchboard is a charity for LGBTQ people looking for a sense of community, support or information.
The third place went to by Hogeschool Windesheim (Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands) for its campaign “Assess your assumptions”.
Improving cultural inclusion
In a plenary presentation on Achieving Cultural Inclusivity in Dementia Care, Dr Karan Jutlla, Head of Health Research Centre & Dementia Lead for the University of Wolverhampton, discussed ways for improving cultural inclusion to reduce inequalities in dementia and ensure widespread accessibility to care becomes a reality. She emphasised that co-production is integral to achieving equitable access to support services for people with dementia and their family members and carers. She invited the audience to consider how culturally-inclusive care can be achieved, via a person-centred approach.
Digital technology
The potential of digital technologies such as wearables, sensors, mobile apps and cameras to improve the assessment of Alzheimer’s disease was highlighted at the conference. The RADARAD7 consortium has published a series of 7 videos explaining the project’s work and results. See the videos HERE
Helsinki Manifesto
At Alzheimer Europe’s AGM before the conference (participants pictured above) the Helsinki Manifesto was adopted. It sets out the current position of dementia in Europe and calls for actions in 4 main areas: health, research, disability and social rights, and informal carers.