The Greek Association of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders (Alzheimer Hellas) was established on 29/10/1995 as a non-profit association. Its goals are early diagnosis, treatment, research support, the rapid introduction of new therapeutic methods in Greece, family support and the improvement of the quality of life of patients and their caregivers. Alzheimer Hellas is pleased to announce that a new palliative care unit “Virgin Mary Glykophilousa”, for people with end-stage dementia, is now operating in Thessaloniki. The establishment license concerns the free accommodation of twenty-five (25) patients, people with end-stage dementia, according to the current diagnostic scales (stage 7 on the Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) and stage 5 on the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale), as well as any related newer diagnostic tools. The people hosted at the facility present some of the following symptoms: inability to communicate verbally, need for help with feeding and maintaining personal hygiene, frequent falls - lack of balance - confined to a wheelchair/bed, urinary incontinence, confusion, insomnia, etc.
The cost of the development and operation of the Unit will be covered by ESPA 2014-2020 resources, until 31/12/2023. After the end of the above funding period, the costs will be covered annually by the appropriation of the Regular Budget of the Ministry of Health. The building that houses the palliative care unit is located in a lovely building on the border of the Municipality of Pylaia, at 65 Nikolaou Plastira Street, in Eastern Thessaloniki, on an area of 2,000 square meters. The patient rooms (9 doubles and 7 singles) meet all the required standards for the accommodation of patients with end-stage dementia. The staff consists of doctors, nursing staff, psychologist, social worker, physical therapist, administrative employees, etc. Scientifically responsible is Professor A.U.Th., Neurologist-Psychiatrist, Magda Tsolaki.
