In Helsinki, on 13-14 November, the Alzheimer Society of Finland (Muistiliitto) organised its annual Memory Conference. The event gathered together researchers, people with memory-related diseases and their families, and the professionals working in local associations affiliated with the Alzheimer Society of Finland. The themes of the lectures included early-onset memory-related diseases, experiences of caregivers, and the self-determination of people with memory-related diseases. A very heart-warming and personal life story was shared by Marja Häkkinen, who bravely talked about her life with frontotemporal degeneration. She got her diagnosis when she was 56 years old, but despite this, she decided to live fully and start new hobbies.
The conference itself was held in a local movie theater in Helsinki. The audience also saw short videos highlighting volunteers with memory-related diseases. Every year, the Alzheimer Society of Finland awards a volunteer in person or for a particular act they have done. The nominees are put forward by local associations. This year, the Volunteer of the Year Award went to Seija Helminen, who volunteers with a local association in Pirkanmaa. Many of her family members have memory-related diseases and she has been recognised for her many acts of kindness and commitment, such as leading peer support groups. She is also a member of local and national working groups for people with memory-related diseases and caregivers.
Pictured: Marja Häkkinen (photo byJonna Lång)
