With the support of a grant from the Vehbi Koç Foundation, the Turkish Alzheimer Association has launched “Alz-PRO”, a professional training programme, aimed at improving the quality of care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. The programme’s goal is to equip healthcare professionals with specialised knowledge and skills, ensuring they are well-prepared to provide effective and informed support to patients and their caregivers. The Alz-PRO programme is being conducted in five cities across Turkey, with the inaugural session successfully held in Istanbul from 28 February to 1 March. Subsequent sessions are scheduled for İzmir (4-5 April), Ankara (2-3 May), Konya (13-14 June) and Van (27-28 June).
The training is structured as a two-day programme consisting of four dedicated sessions, each tailored to a specific target audience within the healthcare sector:
• The first session is designed for nurses, focusing on medical and daily care management for Alzheimer’s patients.
• The second session targets nursing home staff, aiming to enhance their knowledge and competency in dementia care.
• The third session is aimed at senior-level healthcare administrators, addressing strategic approaches to institutional Alzheimer’s care.
• The fourth and final session is for regional training coordinators, ensuring the long-term sustainability of these educational efforts.
The curriculum covers a broad range of critical topics, including the pathology and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, contemporary treatment methods, psychosocial support for patients and caregivers, the rights of patients and healthcare workers, and evidence-based caregiving practices. Each training session is designed to accommodate 150 healthcare professionals over two days. However, the inaugural event in Istanbul exceeded expectations, with 172 participants in attendance. By strengthening the knowledge and skills of healthcare professionals, the Alz-PRO project aims to enhance the overall quality of dementia care while raising awareness of Alzheimer’s disease within the healthcare community. The Turkish Alzheimer Association is confident that this initiative will contribute to long-term, sustainable improvements in the care and support available to people living with Alzheimer’s disease.
