About
Erla Jónsdóttir is from the city of Reykjavík in Iceland but currently she is living in Garðabær, a town close to the capital. She and her husband Emil have two daughters and four grandchildren.
Erla was diagnosed with Early onset Alzheimer’s disease in 2020, at the age of 63, and immediately she joined Alzheimer Iceland and has participated in the active work of the Icelandic version of the Working Group of People with Dementia. The group calls itself “Frumkvöðlar” (English: Pioneers), a group of active individuals whose purpose is to share knowledge and understanding of Alzheimer's disease, both among group members and to the general public as well.
Erla holds a BA in Economics from the University of Iceland and an MSc in International Marketing and Development Studies, Cand.merc, from CBS, Copenhagen Business School. She has a broad spectrum of working experience, both in the private and public sector in Iceland. She has also served as a member of the town council in her hometown, Garðabær, for 12 years. For two years she was a board member of UNIFEM (United Nations Development Fund for Women) Iceland. She has participated actively in several social bodies as well.
The following issues, are of special interest to Erla;
- easier access and accessibility to both private and public/governmental services
- educating and informing the working environment about Alzheimer's disease and how to meet the needs of the patient in an economical way
- in general, enhancing the feeling of safety for people with Alzheimer’s, in all aspects of life.
Outdoor activities of all kinds; hiking, swimming, golf, gardening etc. are at the top of Erla’s list of hobbies, but she also likes the warm and cosy feeling of spending time at home reading a good book or doing a puzzle and sipping on a cup of good coffee.
Erla was nominated by Alzheimer Iceland.