The annual Dementia Conference organised by the Alzheimer Society of Finland (Muistiliitto) aims to offer first-hand experiences of patients and caregivers, and information on memory-related diseases, as well as to strengthen positive attitudes regarding dementia. This year’s event, held on 9 November, gathered circa 450 participants, mostly professionals working in both the public and the private sector. As a result of COVID-19, the conference was held as a one-day online event for the third time, enabling specialists with busy timetables to attend, from across Finland.
Whilst up-to-date information on dementia is a key target for the conference, it is equally important to give a voice to patients and caregivers. Among this year’s topics were Professor Teppo Kröger’s (University of Jyväskylä), whose presentation was on the challenges and future questions in the Finnish system for older person services, Docent Jari Pirhonen’s (University of Helsinki), whose talk focused on recognising the spiritual needs of dementia patients, and Professor Anna Mäki-Petäjä-Leinonen’s (University of Eastern Finland), who gave a review of legal rights among the elderly and dementia patients. Petri Lampinen, member of the European Working Group of People with Dementia, talked about his experience of rehabilitation.
The next conference is planned for 2024, as Helsinki will be the venue of the 33rd Alzheimer Europe Conference in October 2023. The Muistiliitto team looks forward to seeing you in Helsinki!
