The event was organized by the "Hand in Hand - taking the fear out of dementia" network and the city of Salzgitter.
Visitors were treated to a mixture of information as well as a light-hearted look at what is a frightening disease for many.
After the opening by the Second Mayor Christian Striese, comedian Ramona Schuhkraft alias "Sybille Bullatschek", as the Swabian "Pflägekraft" from the retirement home "Sonnenuntergang", took up the important topic of "care" and invited visitors on a light-hearted journey into the serious subject.
Empathic interaction with people with dementia
The question that many relatives and carers ask themselves - how to deal with people with dementia - was answered in her presentation by Athanassia Moudiou from the City of Salzgitter's Health, Consumer Protection and Veterinary Services.
"People with dementia have their own perspective. Their reality is real for them. The rest of us are crazy," she said, describing how people with dementia view their environment. Because they cannot adapt to the reality of their supposedly normal fellow human beings, relatives and carers have to adapt to their reality. "We have to try to build a bridge to them," emphasized Moudiou.
Empathy, patience and an appreciative attitude are essential when dealing with people with dementia, which makes it easier for carers to work with them. It is important to build trust with residents affected by dementia. The expert gave the following tip: "Stay authentic!":
She advised relatives of people with dementia: "Remember to do something for yourself too and look after yourself."
The expert presented the "Validation" method by Naomi Feil, an American gerontologist, as an example of how to treat people with dementia with respect. It involves an empathetic approach and a holistic assessment of the person with dementia. According to Feil, by "slipping into the shoes" of another person and seeing through their eyes, it is possible to penetrate the world of disoriented people and unravel the reasons for their supposedly strange behavior.
After this presentation, the cooperation partners of the "Hand in Hand - taking the fear out of dementia" network provided valuable tips for relatives and professionals in the form of expert discussions and advice.
Exhibition "DEMensch" with cartoons by Peter Gaymann
At the central event, visitors had the opportunity to see the "DEMensch" exhibition by cartoonist Peter Gaymann in the Arche.
With the "DEMensch" campaign, which he launched in 2013 with gerontologist Prof. Dr. Thomas Klie, Peter Gaymann addresses the topic of dementia with sensitivity by approaching it with memorable cartoons.
According to the artist, the positive response from those affected and the press has confirmed the humor-based approach of "DEMensch". Thanks to funding from the federal programme "Local Alliances for People with Dementia", it was possible to realize a picture exhibition in Salzgitter with 12 motifs by Peter Gaymann for World Alzheimer's Day.
What is dementia?
At the end of 2021, there were almost 1.8 million people living with dementia in Germany, most of whom were over 65 years old.
The disease causes people to lose their mental abilities, memory and orientation. However, the disease usually also affects relatives and other loved ones, many of whom accompany and care for the patient.
What is the "Hand in Hand - taking the fear out of dementia" network?
In the city of Salzgitter, a group of stakeholders have come together, who have also put together the program for the information weeks, in order to pool their resources and possibilities for support with this disease.
They have founded the above-mentioned network "Hand in Hand - taking the fear out of dementia" to provide more in-depth advice and information.
The focus of the network's work is on the person with the disease, but also on their social environment, i.e. relatives and friends. The focus here is also on support services.