In the last 36 years, with the aim of promoting the quality of life of people with dementia, and their family members and carers, Alzheimer Portugal, the only national organisation for this illness, has come up with various solutions in different parts of the country, bringing about initiatives that have the aim of informing and bringing awareness to the community and empowering family& professional carers. The Association has warned of the need to consider dementia as a public health and socio-political priority, an exhaustive debate that involves people with dementia, their carers and politicians & creating a national plan that looks to raise the level of awareness of dementia in Portugal, spreading a positive & inclusive message. Following the principals of respect forthe Right to self determination of People with Dementia and the Focus Centred on the Person, it has specialised in the lending of services, being a pioneer in the creation of day centres homes and at have support services specially designed for People with Dementia. It has also created services to give support & respite to carers.
The Association started with the aim of promoting the quality of life of people with dementia , their families and carers. It is the only organisation of its type in Portugal. since 1988, it has lent direct support, being a pioneer in the creation of day centres, nursing homes and at home support services specially designed for people with dementia. It has its headquarters in Lisbon, delegations in the North, Centre and Madeira, and satellite centres in Ribatejo and the Algarve, its offices and associations with other business’s offices. It has 4 areas of action: Direct Help for people with Dementia and their carers; Training for family members & professionals; Information initiatives and public awareness; communication for health.
The aim of the association is “to improve the quality of life of People with Dementia and their carers, with total respect forthe Fundamental Rights of Freedom and Self determination encouraging their autonomy and social participation.”
Their Statutory aims are: “compilation and spreading of knowledge about Alzheimer’s disease, promotion of its study & research into its causes, effects, preventitive treatment, as well as the development of support systems for people with dementia and their carers”
Strategy and Compromise: Proximity to People with Dementia and carers, associates, members and those responsible for the setting of policies; Participation in the creation and implementation of social and health policies; Impact on society and on political, social and economic influences; sustainability through a variety of sources of income.
Roles in the EUTERPE-adn project
Information and recruitment of participants from the northern Delegation, specifically in the day centre “Memoria de Mim” (Matasinhos).
To collaborate and facilitate the organisation of music workshops.
To collaborate in the collection of samples and the neuropsychological evaluation.
Collaborating working group in EUTERPE-adn
- Ana Margarida Cavaleiro: Monitoring of the physical and financial execution of the project.
- Isabel Ribeiro: Finance management
- Luisa Sousa: Coordination of the project’s activities. selection, evaluation and communication with the projects beneficiaries. Monitoring of the activities.
- Susana Brás: Communication & information dissemination, website, social media and other means of social communication.
- Vania Oliveira: Participation in the project’s activities. Selection & evaluation of the participants. Coordination, organisation and realisation of the activities.