Social welfare office organises information day on dementia
Caring relatives, professionals and interested parties are invited to attend on Saturday, 21 September - registration for care service now open
Together with the Dementia Working Group of the German Alzheimer's Association Chemnitz and the surrounding area, the city's Social Welfare Office is once again organising an event on the topic of dementia this year: family carers, people interested in the topic and professionals will have the opportunity to obtain first-hand information on Saturday, 21 September between 9:30 am and 3 pm. On Saturday, 21 September between 9:30 am and 3 pm, carers and professionals will have the opportunity to find out first-hand about support services and possible assistance - please see the flyer attached for the detailed programme. The event will take place at Clubkino Siegmar (Zwickauer Straße 425). Participation is free of charge.
In addition to information stands, interested parties will also receive filmic insights from the perspective of three senior citizens from Chemnitz who, as amateur directors and without any connection to the topic of dementia, have taken various offers "under the camera lens". The result is exciting film sequences that will be premiered in the programme of this event. A moving exhibition by the artist Carolus Horn, one of Germany's best-known commercial artists, who fell ill at the age of 60 and died in 1992, shows the changes that dementia can have on an artist's creative work. The changes that Carolus Horn underwent during his dementia are particularly evident in his "Rialto pictures", which changed considerably as the disease progressed.
Contact: Affected and interested citizens are cordially invited to attend. A carer service is offered to make it easier or even possible for relatives of people in need of care to attend the event. The Social Welfare Office is asking people to register now - contact Grit Heinig, call 0371/488 5552, e-mail senioren.behindertenhilfe(at)stadt-chemnitz.de
Information on the German Alzheimer's Association Chemnitz and Surroundings / Dementia Working Group is available online at http://www.demenz-chemnitz.de/
Background: Up to 1.4 million people in Germany currently suffer from dementia, and the trend is rising. Almost everyone now knows someone in their direct or indirect environment who is suffering from dementia. While it is still possible to cope well with initial memory problems, those affected and their relatives increasingly need support and special assistance. Relatives often find themselves in the dilemma of wanting to care for the dementia sufferer at home, but no longer being able to cope with the increasing psychological, physical, financial and social strain.
Exposed to this great emotional burden, there is usually not enough time to find out about various offers of help and support. The event makes it possible to get an overview of possible alternatives in one place, saving time and effort.