Alzheimer Project
Dementia is a syndrome, that is, a set of symptoms that involve the progressive alteration of some functions: memory, thought, reasoning, language, orientation, personality and behavior of severity that interferes with the daily acts of life: in Italy it is estimated that 1,241,000 people are affected.
The limited and non-resolving efficacy of the available therapies, the huge investment in terms of resources necessary (emotional, organizational and economic) that fall mainly on those who take care of the person with dementia make it one of those a plus serious social impact of the world.
Important support can come from one efficient network of local services (family doctor, day centers, integrated home care), as well as from family associations, which with their information / training / support activities they often constitute a reference point for families. These activities have proven to be one effective tool both for controlling behavioral disorders and for make the care load and stress of family members less burdensome.
More and more people, too due to the lengthening of life expectancy, they show themselves interested in maintaining and improving physical and mental efficiency, too through the practice of physical activity. To date, however, there are few business experiences in Italy specific motor for people with dementia and performed in gyms open to public rather than at rehabilitation centers or clinics.
The project of soft gymnastics for people with dementia that will see its start at "Accademia Scherma Milano" is based on experience started in 2017 at the Senior Citizens Association of Abbiategrasso.
The main features require that the activity is specially modulated over time based on conditions clinics of the person with dementia and be carried out in small coordinated groups by an operator, with a one-to-one relationship - the person with dementia must be accompanied by an accompanying family member.
The main objectives of the activity can be summarized as follows:
- Countering the social isolation that ensues to diagnosis
- Increase the psycho-physical well-being of the people with dementia
- Maintain cognitive and residual skills motor skills of people with dementia
- Offer a pleasant activity space either for people with dementia and for their family members
- Promote social inclusion and socialization of people with dementia within the community by ensuring an activity in a non-stigmatizing place
If you are interested for yourself or an acquaintance of yours, you can contact the Alzheimer Milano Association on 02809767 or send an e-mail to alzheimer_milano@alzheimer.it