Alzheimer Croatia has arranged for the Croatian Red Cross to make necessary deliveries of food and medicines to those with dementia during the imposed lockdown period of the coronavirus pandemic. They have also increased the number of SOS call centre lines and issued recommendations for all those caring for people with dementia in these strange and unsettling times.
Red Cross volunteers received instructions on identifying signs of dementia, in addition to advice on how best to communicate with people with dementia, so that volunteers were fully prepared when delivering medication and food. The Red Cross has also been advised to refer people to the SOS call centre of Alzheimer Croatia for further assistance, if required. Due to a large increase in the volume of SOS calls, the number of telephone lines were quadrupled.
Aware of the sensitive situation in which dementia carers now find themselves, Alzheimer Croatia released a special issue of its newsletter, which is sent to all nursing homes, food delivery and home help services, as well as thousands of family caregivers. This special edition draws attention to the difficulties that those with impaired cognitive functions may come up against, while complementing the official recommendations for the prevention of the spread of the virus and personal protection.
