The Turkish Alzheimer Association has 20 active branches throughout the country, yet some regions are quite remote in terms of accessibility to information and training. In order to solve the problem, in 2023, the Association focused its efforts on implementing a project called ALZ-AWARENESS, supported within the scope of the Sabancı Foundation 2023-2024 Grant Programme. The ALZ-AWARENESS project is dedicated to enhancing dementia awareness and support in remote communities across the country. This initiative involves organising two-day face-to-face training sessions in five cities that are selected based on criteria such as their physical distance from Association Headquaters and accessibility to information and where there is no active branch in the immediate neighborhood, namely Erzincan, Diyarbakır, Şanlıurfa, Artvin and Tunceli.
The training programme comprises four comprehensive modules:
• Module 1: Understanding dementia, provides a fundamental understanding of dementia, emphasising caregiving skills and effective communication strategies. Participants gain insights into the challenges faced by people with dementia and their caregivers, equipping them with essential knowledge to provide better care.
• Module 2: Group psychotherapy and psychodrama, introduces group psychotherapy and psychodrama techniques fostering a supportive environment. Attendees learn to address the emotional and psychological needs of people with dementia and their families, promoting holistic well-being.
• Module 3: Social and legal rights, educates participants on the social and legal rights of people with dementia and their caregivers recognising the importance of advocacy and support. Empowering them with knowledge of available resources and legal protections to improve the quality of life of those affected.
• Module 4: Dementia champion training, aims to train volunteers to become dementia champions for their communities. They receive specialised training and guidance to raise awareness within their regions, creating a supportive network.
The project seeks to bridge the knowledge gap and promote dementia care in remote communities, by dispatching experts from the headquarters such as neurologists, nurses, psychologists, lawyers, social workers, etc. to carry out interactive and semi-fictional trainings specifically tailored to the needs of these areas. The initiative aims to create a stronger support system for families by building a network of informed and caring individuals who can make a positive impact on the lives of people with dementia and their families. Anticipating the positive impact of these training sessions, the ALZ-AWARENESS project envisions the formation of local branches in remote communities which would serve as hubs of knowledge and support, further strengthening the network of care and advocacy for people with dementia and their families.
During the trainings, the knowledge and skills of the participants are measured and reported through surveys and interviews. Participants are given a booklet prepared by the Alzheimer Association of Turkey within the scope of the project to spread information around them. Monthly communication is maintained with the Awareness Ambassadors, who are trained to carry out voluntary activities to raise awareness in their regions; their feedback is collected from the Awareness meetings they organise and they are updated on issues such as new treatments, regulations, laws and legislation.
