Geneva, 9 October 2024 – The 34th Alzheimer Europe Conference (#34AEC) “New horizons – Innovating for dementia” was formally opened yesterday afternoon. The conference is taking place at the Centre International de Conférences Genève (CICG), between 8 and 10 October 2024, attracting 963 delegates from 42 European countries. On the agenda are over 400 presenters (150 presenters for oral presentations, another 100 quick oral presentations and 240 poster presentations), sharing their research, knowledge and experience in an atmosphere of true collaboration and solidarity.
Stefanie Becker, Director of Alzheimer Switzerland and Board Member of Alzheimer Europe, and Jean Georges, Executive Director of Alzheimer Europe, addressed delegates at the Opening Ceremony yesterday afternoon, officially opening the conference.
Stefanie Becker began by saying “For decades, we’ve been waiting for a breakthrough in dementia treatment, and now, as these innovations emerge, they bring not only hope but also new challenges that people with dementia and their families are already facing”. She also noted that innovation is not just about breakthroughs in treatment, but rather it is also about “shifting social attitudes and embracing new technologies to create a truly dementia-inclusive society.” Innovation, therefore, also means finding better ways to support people in their daily lives, she affirmed.
“Patient and carers’ organisations, like Alzheimer Switzerland, are at the forefront and will continue to advocate for everyone, ensuring that no one is left behind”, she said, emphasising that this is especially the case for those who may not meet the criteria for new treatments. Finally, she highlighted the importance of creating a society where the voices of people with dementia and their caregivers are heard, valued, and acted upon. “This is the foundation of a truly dementia-inclusive society”, she said.
Jean Georges extended a special welcome to the 37 people with dementia among the delegates, as well as to the 50 carers/supporters in attendance. He thanked Alzheimer Europe’s sponsors, including Gold sponsor Lilly, Silver sponsors Biogen, Novo Nordisk, Otsuka, and Terumo, and Bronze sponsors, BioArctic, Bristol Myers Squibb, MSD, Prothena and Roche, and expressed Alzheimer Europe’s gratitude to the CICG for hosting the event, as well as to the Geneva Convention Bureau, the République et Canton de Genève, and the Switzerland Convention & Incentive Bureau, for their support. Last, but certainly not least, he thanked colleagues at Alzheimer Switzerland and Alzheimer Geneva, for co-hosting the event.
Following these opening words, delegates were addressed by Salome von Greyerz, who welcomed delegates on behalf of the Swiss Federal Office for Public Health, noting that this year’s conference not only opens up new horizons, but also creates links that are vital for health care professionals, researchers and policy makers and, most importantly, for people with dementia and their caregivers.
A welcome video from Lukas Engelberger, Member of the Executive Council of the Canton of Basel-Stadt, and President of the Swiss Conference of the Cantonal Ministers of Public Health was screened next. You can view the video, here: https://youtu.be/GQ9IrzjPIp0. Pierre Maudet, State Councillor of the Republic and Canton of Geneva, then stepped up to the lectern, to warmly welcome delegates to Geneva.
The Opening Ceremony was rounded off by Marjolein de Vugt, who addressed delegates in her capacity as Chairperson of the INTERDEM (Early detection and timely INTERvention in DEMentia) network. She emphasised the power of small steps and ‘golden moments’ in dementia. “Dealing with dementia can feel like an insurmountable challenge”, she said, “but breaking it down into small, manageable steps leads to significant improvements in quality of life. These small, everyday victories often bring about ‘golden moments’ of connection and meaning, which are vital in dementia care.” She also stressed the importance of collaboration across psychosocial and biomedical approaches, due to the complexity of dementia, which requires diverse solutions. “Psychosocial innovations, risk reduction strategies, and medical advancements are all important. These approaches should complement each other, offering multiple paths toward a better future”, she stated.
In closing, Marjolein de Vugt pointed to INTERDEM’s role in driving innovation, asserting that “as we celebrate 25 years of the INTERDEM network, it’s clear that collaboration is key in psychosocial innovations. By focusing on interventions that enhance resilience, cognitive and social health, and quality of life. INTERDEM embodies the spirit of innovation needed to improve the lives of people living with dementia.”
"Two voices, one story – navigating dementia together"
The first Plenary of the conference was a joint session organised by the members of the European Working Group of People with Dementia (EWGPWD) and the European Dementia Carers Working Group (EDCWG). This was chaired by Jean Georges, the Executive Director of Alzheimer Europe. The two working groups had decided to focus on the interrelated topics of living with dementia, relationships and independence. The different presentations provided a balanced overview of what life with dementia can be like, taking into account the very different experiences that people with dementia and carers across Europe may have.
People who look at dementia from the outside may hold the view that living life to the full ends on diagnosis but the reality for many people is far removed from this perception. This plenary session set out to illustrate that many who live with dementia, and their carers, have a fierce and positive determination to enjoy themselves and play an active role in their communities. They seek not pity but support. They want empathy rather than sympathy. They require kindness and encouragement not dismissal or rejection.
Paddy Crosbie from Ireland, for example, remembered hearing the words ‘It’s young onset Alzheimer's’ and how he did not know how he’d cope, but he was also told to keep his husband doing what he could for as long as he could and this carried him through.
Trevor Salomon, a fellow carer from the UK, suggested, “It’s easy to see what people living with dementia can no longer do” and encouraged people with dementia and carers/supporters to focus on what is possible, and encourage them to do it. He provided an example of an employer who went to considerable lengths to adapt to the Trevor’s wife’s needs.
Liv Thorsen from Norway who cares for her husband described their philosophy to living with dementia, emphasising the power of thought and how the way that people think about Alzheimer’s disease affects their daily lives and to some extent their experience of dementia.
Shelagh Robinson, a person with dementia from the UK, took a close look at relationships that people with dementia have with others and the nature and quality of those relationships (i.e. whether they are abling or disabling, respectful, smothering or inclusive). She emphasised the importance of being kind to oneself and others, and in the context of spirituality, ended on a positive note with a quote from Julian of Norwich, “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well”.
Lieselotte (Lilo) Klotz from German shared her first thoughts on hearing her diagnosis, namely, “This can’t be, not me”, explaining that it was not part of her life plan and how she had not been able to accept for the first few years the many changes and losses she was experiencing. She ended, however, with the statement, “an ordinary day is the greatest blessing”.
At the end of the session, there was a short video presentation entitled “I may have Alzheimer’s disease, but it doesn’t have me”, which was recently developed by the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) and Alzheimer Europe. In this video, Chris Roberts, member and former Chairperson of the EWGPWD, talks about the importance of hope and of the timely detection of Alzheimer’s disease, adding that he is not defined by the disease. Watch the video, here: https://youtu.be/1cW92mf5J0o
Each of the five speakers with lived experience at this first plenary session received rapturous applause from the audience, as did the video.
Parallel sessions
Following the opening ceremony, delegates had the chance to join one of nine parallel sessions. At one such session, titled “People living with dementia”, the speakers were all people living with dementia, including the Chairperson of the EWGPWD, Kevin Quaid (Ireland). In his presentation, he shared how getting hearing aids has changed his life for the better.
Another parallel session, organised by Alzheimer Switzerland, was called “Vulnerable Groups: The Swiss situation“, while INTERDEM organised an “Academy” session and the LETHE project held a session looking at how technology and Artificial Intelligence can contribute to personalised risk reduction and prevention in dementia. There was also a session showcasing a series of quick oral presentations on psychosocial interventions.
After a short break, a further nine parallel sessions were held, including one exploring issues around minority ethnic groups and dementia, and one organised by the SPAN+, a Dutch project aiming to develop an effective empowerment intervention tailored for individuals with dementia, both at home and in care homes. There was also another session showcasing a series of quick oral presentations, this time on dementia strategies and policies, and Alzheimer Switzerland used this slot to host a session in French, titled “Société solidaire des personnes atteintes d’Alzheimer ou d’une autre démence" (“Solidarity among society for people with Alzheimer’s or other dementias”).
Prior to the conference, Alzheimer Europe also hosted a networking event and information session, plus a tour of the conference venue for delegates with dementia.
Welcome Reception
To close day one of the conference, a Welcome Reception was held in the foyer of the CICG conference centre, from 18.30 to 20.00. The folk trio CORSIN entertained conference delegates, with René, the yodelling singer and spoon player, Gérald on the accordion and vocals, and Sylvain on the alphorn, saxophones, musical saw, and bell.
European Group of Governmental Experts on Dementia meets in Geneva, prior to #34AEC
The European Group of Governmental Experts on Dementia held an in-person meeting on 7 and 8 October in Geneva, Switzerland, in advance of #34AEC. 19 European countries were represented at the meeting, in addition to representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), WHO Europe, from the European Commission’s DG Research & Innovation (DG RTD), the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and from Alzheimer Europe. Over the course of the two-day meeting, the group heard about national dementia strategies and policies, as well as European and international policy developments.
At the national level, representatives from ministries from Belgium (Flanders), Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Malta, Poland, Sweden and United Kingdom (Scotland) provided updates to the group on recent developments in their respective countries. Alzheimer Europe led discussions on the use of anti-amyloid treatments and recent developments at a European level, as well as presenting on putting risk-reduction research into practice. The WHO provided an update on work at an international and European region level, including on the future of the Global Action Plan on Dementia. The European Commission presented on the place of dementia and brain health in the EU’s research programmes, whilst the OECD presented on their work which has relevance for dementia.
The European Group of Governmental Experts on Dementia was formed in 2018 by Alzheimer Europe, the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, the Italian Ministry of Health and the Scottish Government and is facilitated by Alzheimer Europe.
European Alzheimer's Disease Consortium hosts autumn meeting on 7 and 8 October in Geneva
The autumn meeting of the European Alzheimer's Disease Consortium (EADC) commenced with introductory remarks from Frank Jessen and Sebastiaan Engelborghs, Chair and co-Chair of the EADC. The EADC is a network of clinical centres of excellence in dementia research and treatment, comprising memory clinics and institutions from 20 countries across Europe.
Key presentations on day one included lectures from Federica Ribaldi (Hopitaux Universitaires de Geneve/HUG) on cognitive health initiatives in Geneva, and Claire Chevalier (HUG) on the development of a probiotics platform for Alzheimer’s Disease. Industry experts presented cutting-edge findings on plasma biomarkers and from clinical trials, followed by a special lecture from Sebastian Palmqvist (Lund University) highlighting the value of plasma biomarkers in primary care. The day concluded with a symposium on ageing and senescence, featuring discussions on geroscience and neuroimaging.
On 8 October, the focus shifted to young researcher presentations and new initiatives, concluding with discussions on future plans for meetings and collaborations.
INTERDEM network celebrates its 25th Anniversary at Annual Meeting in Geneva
INTERDEM is a network of researchers interested in psychosocial interventions, made up of more than 600 researchers and academics with different professional disciplines, spread across 20 countries (18 of which are in Europe). The INTERDEM network celebrated its 25th anniversary at its Annual Meeting at the CICG conference centre in Geneva on 7 and 8 October 2024, prior to #34AEC.
On 7 October, the meeting kicked off with a welcome from INTERDEM Chairperson Marjolein de Vugt, to all researchers present. Then there was an introduction to new members by Rabih Chattat, a session chaired by Myrra Vernooij-Dassen titled “Research road map”, and a keynote presentation about the WHO’s global response to dementia, delivered by Katrin Seeher in a session chaired by Martin Orrell. Other sessions on this first day included an update of the JPND Working Group INTEREST and a business meeting to discuss new initiatives.
On the second day, 8 October, attendees were split into different “taskforce” groups, to discuss topics including Young Onset Dementia, Intersectionality, Inequalities, and Social Health. A final plenary session was chaired by Esme Moniz-Cook on taskforce progress. Lastly, Frans Verhey chaired a session on the INTERDEM Academy that included a presentation of the publication winner Jacoba Huizinga together with Gerda van Tongerloo who reflected on her role in research as a person with dementia.
Alzheimer Europe is proud to be a key partner of INTERDEM.
Meetings of the European Working Group of People with Dementia (EWGPWD) and European Dementia Carers Working Group (EDCWG)
On 8 October, members of the EWGPWD and EDCWG met in the morning. This was the first face-to-face meeting of members of both working groups in the current term of office. In the meeting of the EWGPWD, members addressed the topic of independent living and housing which is the focus of the 2024 Alzheimer Europe Yearbook. This was followed by the networking event which was attended by delegates with dementia and their supporters.
Members of the EDCWG were informed about a brain health campaign for young adults (people in their early twenties) which has been developed in the context of two European projects (ADIS and Pattern-Cog) and discussed how this work, which was initially developed in the Spanish context, could be implemented in other countries. Members also addressed the topic of independent living and housing from the perspective of informal carers.
Alzheimer Europe would like to extend a warm welcome to all delegates and remind everyone to use the hashtag #34AEC to join/follow the conversation on X (formerly Twitter).
Acknowledgement
Alzheimer Europe gratefully acknowledges the support of all conference sponsors, with particular thanks to Gold sponsor Lilly, Silver sponsors Biogen, Novo Nordisk, Otsuka, and Terumo, and Bronze sponsors, BioArctic, Bristol Myers Squibb, MSD, Prothena and Roche.