13th Jena Dementia Day on Saturday in the town hall

People and dementia - fears, questions and the search for answers

We all know and hear again and again that the number of people with dementia is increasing. We talk about the symptoms of gradual forgetting, reports, films and examples in the media are present.

But where we need it: in everyday life, in restaurants, in the supermarket - it is still a topic of great uncertainty. From curious glances and compassion to outright rejection and a lack of understanding, everything is there. Courageous approaches, empathetic but not imposing words are rare. We are afraid of the subject and don't know how to deal with it. Despite all attempts to raise awareness, the topic is still not sufficiently present in practice and in the focus of life. It lives on the margins. In institutions, homes, perhaps even hidden, sometimes full of shame. We at the association have even received letters from older people informing us that even sheltered housing complexes sometimes struggle when one of the partners has dementia.

When we talk about dementia, we refer to the loss or restriction of memory, abstraction and thinking, narrowing of the field of vision, loss of body perception and body boundaries. In the experience of the person affected, this manifests itself as a loss of present and future, the experience of personal limitation, heteronomy, loss of the mosaic of life, loss of lived status, roles and functions. This does not happen suddenly, but depending on the form of dementia, there are slow and faster progressions. And we don't want that for our families or for ourselves. So what can we do?

In exceptional times like these, other issues arise. How can we organize care at home, what restricts, what provides protection and where is protection a feeling of "being alone"? What is needed?

We can try to provide answers. That is why this year we would like to dedicate the 13th Jena Dementia Day, on Saturday, October 2, 2021 in the Jena Town Hall hall and plenary hall, in the town hall on the market from 9.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. to exactly this topic. There will be time for questions and discussions at various themed stands and at various facilities that will be with us on this day.

Let us invite you to exchange ideas and find answers!

Program:

• 10.00 a.m.
  Welcome and greeting by the Head of Social Affairs, Eberhard Hertzsch
• 10.15 a.m.
  Lecture "Diagnosis and treatment of dementia today"
  Dr. Sabine Köhler - Specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy Jena, discussion
• 11.00 a.m.
  Sporting exercises to stay fit
• 11.15 a.m.
  Lecture " Flexibility in dementia care in extraordinary situations and times"

  1st keynote speech "Pandemic and social work"
  Dr. Jan Steinhaussen, Chairman of the State Senior Citizens' Advisory Council Jena
  Discussion

• 12.00 p.m.
  Refreshments and time for discussions at the stands of various institutions
• 12.45 p.m.
  2nd keynote speech "Humanity - what is needed in terms of care (also at the end of life) and what is really possible in practice under the conditions of the pandemic" PD Dr. Ulrich Wedding, Jena
• 3rd keynote speech "The practice - experienced by those affected"
  A relative reports
• 1.30 p.m.
  plus Q&A session, discussion
• 14.00 hrs
  Concluding talks and coffee,

Various organizations from Jena will present themselves with stands. Drinks and snacks will be available.