During World Alzheimer’s Month, Spominčica – Alzheimer Slovenia organised and participated in numerous events aimed at raising awareness and providing information about dementia under the slogan “Early diagnosis, better prognosis.”
Press conference
In cooperation with the Medical Chamber of Slovenia, organised a press conference at which experts highlighted the importance of early recognition and diagnosis of dementia. They emphasised that timely diagnosis enables more effective medical care, better planning of comprehensive care, and greater support for people living with dementia and their families.
The conference featured Dr Bojana Beović, President of the Medical Chamber of Slovenia, Štefanija L. Zlobec, President of Spominčica – Alzheimer Slovenia, Dr Polona Rus Prelog, Head of the Gerontopsychiatric Department at the University Psychiatric Clinic Ljubljana, Assistant Professor Dr Eva Županič, neurologist, Dr Mercedes Lovrečič, Head of the Dementia Expert Group at the National Institute of Public Health, and Damjan Miklič, Senior Criminal Police Inspector and Head of the Department for Crimes Against Life and Sexual Integrity within the Criminal Police Directorate.
National Dementia Conference
On 21 and 22 September 2026, the National Institute of Public Health (NIJZ) organised the National Dementia Conference, with Spominčica – Alzheimer Slovenia actively involved in both the development of the programme and participation.
Štefanija L. Zlobec, President of Spominčica, was a member of the conference's organising committee. Spominčica's experts presented two symposiums, two lectures and two round-table discussions, and actively participated in other accompanying activities.
Slovenian Members of the European Parliament were also invited to the conference. They had already expressed strong support for Alzheimer Europe's initiative to make dementia a priority in European policy making. The conference thus brought together experts, policymakers and other stakeholders committed to improving care for people living with dementia and fostering a dementia-friendly society.
Zdravje 2026 Business Conference
At the Zdravje 2026 Business Conference, organised by the national daily newspaper Delo and opened by Minister of Health Tadej Osterc, Štefanija L. Zlobec, President of Spominčica – Alzheimer Slovenia, and Associate Professor Dr Polona Rus Prelog, MD, specialist in psychiatry, Head of the Gerontopsychiatric Department at the University Psychiatric Clinic Ljubljana and member of Spominčica's Expert Council, were also invited by the organisers to speak about dementia as an invisible and costly epidemic in an ageing society.
In their presentations, they highlighted the challenges that dementia poses to individuals, their families, the healthcare and social care systems, and society as a whole. They also presented Spominčica's activities implemented within the framework of the Dementia-Friendly Local Communities programme. The programme is co-funded by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Slovenia for the period 2024–2026 through a public call for proposals to co-finance programmes in the fields of dementia management and mental health.
Educational video
The Police Directorate of the Ministry of the Interior in cooperation with Spominčica produced an educational video explaining how to approach a person with dementia who has become lost. The video aims to raise public awareness of how to approach such individuals appropriately, offer assistance and ensure their safety.
Watch the video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ap8UEJKE7v8
Memory Walks
On World Alzheimer's Day, 21 September, Spominčica – Alzheimer Slovenia organised its traditional Memory Walk in Ljubljana, held under the honorary patronage of Mr Zoran Janković, Mayor of the City of Ljubljana.
Memory Walks were also held in numerous other locations across Slovenia. These events highlighted the importance of understanding dementia, accepting people living with dementia, and creating an environment in which people with dementia and their families feel safe, accepted and included.
Alzheimer Cafés and lectures
Throughout September, World Alzheimer's Month, Spominčica also organised an increased number of Alzheimer Cafés, dementia awareness lectures and other awareness-raising activities across Slovenia. These events were intended for the general public, people living with dementia, their families and professionals, providing opportunities to gain knowledge, exchange experiences and build connections.
Art exhibition
A special mention goes to an art exhibition held at a museum, featuring paintings created by a person living with dementia. The exhibition introduced visitors to the creativity of people with dementia and emphasised that a diagnosis does not diminish an individual's personality, talents or ability to express themselves.
Through all these events and activities, Spominčica – Alzheimer Slovenia continues to fulfil its mission of raising awareness about dementia, promoting early recognition of the condition and providing support to people living with dementia and their families. “It is essential that we all recognise dementia as a societal challenge and work together to create an environment in which people living with dementia are accepted, understood and included”, concluded Alzheimer Slovenia.
