Despite not being directly affected by COVID-19, the activities of Alzheimer Larissa were frozen due to the strict preventive measures. Since March 2020, no activities have been allowed in the Association's premises. Communication has been limited to phone calls to members, and only a few group activities took place. Alzheimer Larissa therefore aimed for September 2021 to be an opportunity for reconnection and to demonstrate COVID-19 safe conduct in the fight against dementia.
So far, the Association has organised 17 open-air meetings in various neighbourhoods within Larissa, hosting small groups of people with a valid COVID-19 certificate. At each meeting, the 10 signs of dementia were presented, questions were addressed and the need for motivation and socialisation, regardless of occasional mobility restrictions, was underscored. Participants were given a purple balloon, a purple face mask and an informative leaflet.
World Alzheimer’s Day was marked by the 3rd “Mnemosyne” Memory Walk through Larissa city centre, along the purple lit “Sculptured river” fountains, ending at city hill. The event was supported by the Municipality of Larissa, and the Laboratory of Social Nursing, University of Thessaly. Many officials showed up for the walk, which was led by the Larissa Philharmonic Orchestra, playing parade tunes and paying tribute to the composer Mikis Theodorakis at regular stops. The legendary syrtaki (dance) of Zorba the Greek lifted the parade’s spirits and attracted onlookers sitting at nearby cafés. Some dared to dance and some joined the line to walk. On 23 September, the Association visited the Philharmonic's premises at Papa’s Mill, to highlight the cognitive benefits of music. People living with dementia showed their support to the musicians that had to rehearse separately for a very long time; they offered rosemary plants, known as the “memory elixir”, and advised them to take care of the plants as a reminder of lifelong mental and cognitive care.
