Making Dementia a Priority - Day 2 AEC

The second day of the 34th Alzheimer Europe Conference on 9 October 2024 in Geneva continued under the theme "New Horizons – Innovating for Dementia." With 963 delegates attending, the day focused on making dementia a priority and showcased innovations in dementia care, bringing together experts, researchers, and stakeholders from across Europe.

Making Dementia a Priority

The day’s second plenary session, “Making Dementia a Priority,” was moderated by Charles Scerri from Malta and featured a range of presentations highlighting the importance of dementia in public health and policy:

Margit Jochum Christin from the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health discussed Switzerland’s approach to dementia in healthcare policy. She focused on the Swiss National Dementia Platform, a collaborative effort that unites nearly 90 organizations to ensure appropriate care and support for people with dementia and their families across the country. She stressed the need for a healthcare system that prioritizes dementia and provides the necessary resources for long-term care.

Katrin Seeher from the World Health Organization (WHO) gave a critical update on the WHO's Global Action Plan on Dementia (2017-2025). She pointed out that none of the global targets set by the plan are on track to be achieved by 2025. To address this, she called for renewed global efforts to implement the plan’s recommendations, emphasizing the role of the Pan-European Mental Health Coalition in scaling up action in dementia care across the region.

Alex Gobey, Director of the Dementia Care Directorate in Malta, presented Malta’s new National Dementia Strategy (2024-2031), which aims to build on the country’s first dementia strategy. The new strategy, titled “Reaching New Heights,” seeks to improve services and quality of life for people living with dementia by focusing on the latest developments in dementia prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care. It was created after extensive research and consultation with stakeholders and the public.

Giovanni Frisoni, a clinical neurologist and professor at the University of Geneva, introduced the Swiss Brain Health Plan (SBHP), which focuses on brain health throughout life. He outlined five strategic objectives: raising awareness, improving cross-disciplinary training for healthcare professionals, promoting research on brain health, adopting a holistic public health approach, and empowering patients and caregivers to reduce stigma and improve outcomes.

Humanity comes from the heart, not from rules.

Dive into Some Parallel Sessions and Special Symposia

A session organized by INTERDEM on advances in social health, brain health, and psychosocial interventions in dementia care.

LGBTQ+ and Dementia, chaired by Paddy Crosbie (Ireland), a member of the European Dementia Carers Working Group (EDCWG), which explored the unique experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals living with dementia.

Quick oral presentations on artificial intelligence (AI) and technology in dementia care, as well as the role of physical activity in preventing and managing dementia, with input from the Synapsis Foundation and Alzheimer Switzerland.

“Preparing for New AD Treatments,” chaired by Angela Bradshaw from Alzheimer Europe and supported by Lilly (Gold sponsor), explored the real-world implications of upcoming Alzheimer’s therapies.

“Enhancing Impact: Bridging Dementia Research and Practice”, organized by the Dutch project DEMPACT, discussed how research outcomes can be translated into practical solutions in dementia care.

The “Dementia Researchers of the Future” symposium, co-organized by the INTERDEM Academy and supported by Biogen (Silver sponsor), provided a platform for ten early-stage researchers to present their work, showcasing the next generation of innovation in dementia research.

The Alzheimer Switzerland session on best practices in dementia care in Switzerland was also a highlight, along with a session hosted by TERUMO Blood and Cell Technologies on innovative approaches to Alzheimer’s disease therapies.

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Preparing for New AD Treatments

In the special symposium on Alzheimer’s disease treatments, chaired by Angela Bradshaw and supported by Lilly, four speakers shared insights into the future of Alzheimer's care:

Jan Runar Eliassen (Norway), a member of the European Working Group of People with Dementia (EWGPWD), shared his personal journey with early-onset Alzheimer’s, diagnosed at age 45. He described the emotional challenges of living with dementia and the importance of support networks such as the Norwegian Health Associations and the Dementia Choir.

Cath Mummery from the UK Dementia Research Institute spoke on bridging the gap between clinical research and real-world dementia care. She emphasized the need to reshape dementia services, improve diagnostics, and increase access to new treatments.

?Julius Popp, head of the Cognitive Disorders and Alzheimer’s Disease Centre at the University of Zurich, highlighted the role of biomarkers in guiding Alzheimer's treatments and how advancements in non-invasive biomarkers, such as blood-based tests, will improve early diagnosis and tailored treatments.

Leonie Visser (Amsterdam UMC) discussed the challenges and importance of shared decision-making in dementia care. She emphasized the need for educational tools and communication strategies to help patients and families make informed choices about disease-modifying treatments.

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Innovation in Dementia Care

The third plenary session of the day focused on innovation in dementia care. Tobias Nef from the University of Bern shared his research on digital biomarkers and sensor-based systems that assist caregivers in managing dementia patients, particularly in hospital settings.

Esther Loseto-Gerritzen from the University of Nottingham, who spoke about the benefits of online peer support for individuals with young-onset dementia, particularly in overcoming barriers to in-person support groups.

Aisling Flynn from Bournemouth University discussed the potential of virtual reality to promote social connectedness for people with dementia and their caregivers, highlighting the immersive, shared experiences that virtual environments can offer.

Lizzy Boots (Maastricht University) concluded the session by discussing the Evaluation in Life Cycle of Information Technology (ELICIT) framework, which stresses the importance of involving end-users in the development and implementation of innovative dementia care solutions.

Do not miss the next hybride Nationale Demenz Konferenz in Bern: "Zukunft der Alzheimer-Behandlung: Neue Horizonte in der Medikamentenentwicklung" am 29. April 2025