It was "another step" in the affirmation of a differentiating project. It has been just over a year since Castro Marim has the only home dedicated to dementia in the Algarve and Alentejo. The experience is “going very well” and led to the organization of the 27st Algarve Congress on Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias on 28 and XNUMX September, where there was no shortage of praise and knowledge sharing.
The initiative brought together hundreds of people over two days, in the auditorium of the Municipal Library of Castro Marim.
The opening session was attended by José Cabrita, provider of Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Castro Marim, which manages the Residential Structure and Day Center for Alzheimer's and Dementia.
Speaking to journalists, the person in charge, who gives his name to the home, recalled how this congress was “another step” in a dream that took a long time to come true.
“We had many difficulties, it took many years, but we overcame them all. Today, we have a home and everything is going very well,” he said.
Proof of this is that the “places are all occupied” (70 institutionalized users and another 20, in Day Center regime).
"This congress also means that our name is increasingly known throughout the country and internationally. For Castro Marim, it is an added value and, for me, a source of great pride," he added.
During this year, “people from all over the country” have come to learn about the institution, especially because “we managed to fill a gap in the South of the country”.
The opening session also included the participation of Manuel de Lemos, president of the Union of Portuguese Misericórdias, who recalled how, in the last year, «Castro Marim crossed many times” on your way.
“When I came here and saw the work that is being done, I realised how well people are treated. You can feel that. A unit like this qualifies Castro Marim in the regional and national context”, he said.
Especially because, he stressed, the issue of dementia “always comes up on the path of the Misericórdias”.
“We, in nursing homes, deal with dementia. Every week we see people who have family members in this situation. That’s why we are very pleased when we see charities that dedicate themselves to this issue,” he added.
Francisco Amaral, Mayor of Castro Marim, recalled how “one of the very first meetings” he had, as mayor in that municipality, was with the ombudsman José Cabrita.
“He told me he had this dream. I told him that I, better than anyone, knew the need that this home represented and the struggle began, which was not easy. Many obstacles were overcome, one by one, with great determination,” he recalled.
The first day of the Congress also included presentations on the themes “Dementia: National Challenge”, “Neurobiology of Dementia and the Importance of Diagnosis”, “Psychopharmacological Stabilization in Dementia”, “Scientific Research in Dementia”, “The Importance of Neuropsychological Assessment in Intervention in Dementia” and “Non-Pharmacological Therapies in Dementia – Brain Booth Camp Project”.
The second day's program included topics such as “The importance of Hearing and Smell in Dementia”, “The importance of Physical and Functional Assessment in Dementia”, “Incontinence Management: Smart Care Identifi project” and “Impact of Dementia on Families”.
The closing session was attended by the vice-president of the Castro Marim Chamber, Filomena Sintra, the president of the Regional Secretariat of the Union of Portuguese Misericórdias, Armindo Vicente, and the technical director of the José Cabrita Residential Structure, Iola Fernandes.
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