Country
Türkiye
Session: PL01. Living with Dementia
Find the detailed programme here.
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Sertaç (pronounced Sar-Touch) is from Istanbul, Türkyie and trained as an Economist at a time when the Turkish government was nearing bankruptcy. She loves fixing broken things and has always had ideals of public service. Over the years, she has worked as a management consultant in Boston, USA, and held various management roles in pharmaceutical companies. Notably, she was part of the Turkish Lundbeck team that launched drugs for Alzheimer's, Parkinson’s, depression and schizophrenia about 20 years ago.
When her Mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and vascular dementia, she realised that her 13 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry were not enough to prepare her for this personal challenge.
She joined the Turkish Alzheimer Association, where she received immense support from nurses, physicians, social workers, therapists and other carers and became a board member.
She has always wanted to engage in advocacy and charitable work. Currently, she is also a Board member of Türkiye Yardım Sevenler Derneği İstanbul Branch, a 96-year-old Turkish charity.
During her Mom’s dementia journey, she gained first-hand experience and awareness regarding the stigma, fears, ignorance, apathy and barriers to reaching a diagnosis and adequate treatment. She also had to deal with challenges surrounding comorbidities, polypharmacy and the management of the behavioural aspects of this disease.
Her Mom had two hip fractures, which accelerated the progression of the disease. She is currently at a stage where she cannot express herself eloquently. This has fuelled Sertac's desire to be the voice of patients and their carers.
Joining EDCWG is a great honour and opportunity for her. She is excited and looks forward to learning a lot from this community. In Türkyie, there is a huge unmet need for financial, medical, and psychological assistance. She hopes to improve the lives of carers and their patients.
