INTERDEM is a network of researchers interested in psychosocial interventions, made up of more than 600 researchers and academics with different professional disciplines, spread across 20 countries (18 of which are in Europe). On 5 and 6 October, the INTERDEM network hosted its Annual Meeting at the Bologna Congress Center, prior to #35AEC.
On 5 October, the meeting kicked off with a welcome from INTERDEM Chairperson Marjolein de Vugt, to all researchers present, before a presentation by Simone Salemme, M.D. (Neurologist, University of Camerino and University of Modena e Reggio Emilia, and Consultant of the National Institute of Health on dementia prevention), about “Bridging data and policy for brain health in Italy: Insights from regional and national analyses on dementia prevention”. Following this, a workshop, titled “How can INTERDEM support establishing European consortia?” was provided by Prof. Martin Orrell (Director of the Institute of Mental Health, University of Nottingham) and Prof. Manuel Franco (Head of Psychiatry and Mental Health Service, Zamora Health Complex & Associate Professor for Psychopathology and Mental Health, University of Salamanca).
On day two of the meeting, nice taskforce meetings were held on the topics of Prevention, Palliative & End of Life Care, Intersectionality, Assistive Technology, Methodology, Inequalities in Dementia Care, Social Health, Young Onset Dementia, and Dementia Education and Training. This year’s meeting also marked a special milestone in the history of INTERDEM: the farewell of three founding board members, Frans Verhey, Myrra Vernooij-Dassen and Esme Moniz-Cook, who established the network 25 years ago. Their vision, dedication, and long-standing commitment laid the foundation for what INTERDEM has become today, a vibrant, connected community advancing psychosocial dementia research across Europe. The network expressed heartfelt thanks to them. The meeting was rounded out with the presentation of the INTERDEM Academy award, chaired by Frans Verhey. The Award went to Kate Turley, congratulations to her! Alzheimer Europe is proud to be a key partner of INTERDEM.