The pandemic, with its lockdown aspects, services closing and slowdown of diagnostic pathways and assistance, has presented an increase in difficulties for people with dementia and carers. Despite and also because of the situation, Federazione Alzheimer Italia has kept its help-line “Pronto Alzheimer” constantly active, offering support and advice which are even more important during this global health crisis. During the autumn, Federazione Alzheimer Italia organised four live webinars with professionals, to address clinical aspects of the disease, to suggest useful and enjoyable activities for people with dementia and carers, and to advise on responding to behavioural disorders.
In addition to these webinars, on 16 November 2020, a presentation was given, reviewing the main causes that, both in Italy and across the world, have led to high mortality rates in people with dementia affected by COVID-19. The videos of these session can be an important tool for sharing and exchanging strategies to reduce the repercussions that the pandemic is having on people with dementia in different care settings and at different stages of the disease. They are available on Federazione Alzheimer Italia’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/AlzheimerItalia
Certain of the interest that this topic will arouse, Federazione Alzheimer Italia continues to plan new meetings to show solidarity with carers who have suffered from the isolation lockdown has caused for many, with the hope of helping them to be better prepared in the future.
