Portimão City Council will support the Algarve Center of Alzheimer Portugal with 9600 euros, to share in the rental of the institution's new headquarters, located in this city, under a protocol signed today, January 17th.
The protocol “will allow the leasing of future facilities, located in Urbanização S. Francisco, Lot 2, fraction B, ground floor. – Store 2 and results from local recognition of the association's role in terms of promoting rights and providing specialized care and support to people with dementia, their families and caregivers».
At the protocol signing ceremony, Isilda Gomes, mayor of Portimão, highlighted «the dignified and recognized effective work that has been done» by Alzheimer Portugal and which should now «reach more people».
Rosário Zincke dos Reis, president of Alzheimer Portugal, stated that the emergence of the association's Algarve nucleus «constituted the realization of an old dream of Professor Carlos Garcia», founder of Alzheimer Portugal, and thanked all the support provided by the municipality of Portimão, «as the municipalities are at the forefront when it comes to solving the problems of their fellow citizens».
The Algarve nucleus of the Portuguese Association of Families and Friends of Alzheimer's Patients, currently operating in Três Bicos, «offers a specific response to the target audience for which it is intended, under Social Security legislation, providing care services , advice, information, training, psychological and social support», according to Portimão City Council.
The Portimão Dementia Support Office is available at this location, which operates from Monday to Friday between 9:30 am and 12:30 pm, by prior appointment, and can be contacted on the mobile phone number 965 276 690 or via email geral.algarve@ alzheimerportugal.org.
With the mission of reducing the social isolation in which many people with dementia and their families and caregivers find themselves, The Café Memória project was created in September 2022, with the aim of contributing to improving the quality of life of people with some type of dementia.
«The main objective of the project, which resulted from a protocol established between the Municipality of Portimão, Alzheimer Portugal and Sonae Sierra, is to provide a welcoming, reserved and safe environment, in which interaction is facilitated and emotional support and useful information are offered , in addition to promoting people's informal participation in playful and stimulating activities, with the support of health or social action professionals», describes the Chamber.
Meanwhile, and with caregivers in mind, the start of meetings of the Psychoeducational Group for Informal Caregivers of People with Dementia is scheduled for January 24th, in the current facilities of the center, «new activity where Alzheimer Portugal's accredited techniques will provide participants training in skills to deal with dementia, particularly with regard to psychological and behavioral changes and the progressive dependence of the person living with this diagnosis».
Psychoeducational programs for family members “constitute an important response at this level, as in addition to the benefits for the participants, in some cases there may be possible improvements for the people being cared for, in terms of relieving symptoms or delaying institutionalization”.
«These groups represent a privileged and regular space to work on the challenges that arise when assuming the role of care, working among peers and with the facilitation of a moderator with specific training», stated the municipality.
For ten weeks, the sessions take place on Wednesdays, from 15:00 pm to 16:30 pm, and are free to attend, subject to registration and a prior interview. More information can be obtained here.
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