Greek Association of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders (Alzheimer Hellas)

Greek Association of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders was established in 1995 as a non-profit association and has over 50,000 members. Its’ aims are to create structures, services, and conditions that improve the quality of life for patients with dementia, as well as their caregivers.

Since 2007 and 2009, respectively, Alzheimer Hellas has been operating two Alzheimer’s Disease Day Centres in Thessaloniki ("Saint Helen" Day Centre, 13 Petrou Sindika Street, and “Saint Ioannis” Day Centre, 164 Konstantinou Karamanli Avenue). These Day Centres serve people with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia, their caregivers and their families. They employ more than 50 specialized professionals from various fields. Their services include: a) Day Center for people with Alzheimer’s Disease, b) Caregivers’ Department, and c) a Home Care Team, providing free diagnosis, medical monitoring and specialized non-pharmaceutical interventions. Additionally, since 2019, the Day Centre "Saint Helen” has incorporated in its’ services the project "Interconnection with Senior Day Centers in Thessaloniki," which was also funded initially by European community resources and subsequently by national resources.

Since 2022, within the framework of the Operational Program "ESPA 2014-2020," Greece's first Palliative Care Centre for 25 end-stage dementia patients has been operating. The "Panagia Glykofilousa" Centre is located at 65 Nikolaou Plastira Street, on the borders between the Municipality of Thessaloniki and the Municipality of Pylaia, spanning in an area of 2,000 m². It comprises of 9 double rooms and 7 single rooms, all complying with the required specifications for accommodating patients with dementia at the final stage

Patients exhibit symptoms such as: inability for verbal communication, needing assistance with feeding and personal hygiene, frequent falls, imbalance leading to wheelchair or bed confinement, urinary incontinence, confusion, insomnia, etc. The staff consists of doctors, nursing personnel, psychologist, social worker, physiotherapist, administrative staff and others. Professor Emeritus at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Dr Magda Tsolaki Neurologist-Psychiatrist is the Scientific Director of the Centre. Services include medical and psychological support for patients in the final stages of dementia, as well as support for their caregivers. The goal of the care home is for our parents and grandparents to "depart" without pain, to eat the best possible food, to participate in religious services and to live out the rest of their lives in the best way possible for them.

Recently, in April 2023, a new Day Center for people with dementia started operating in the city of Katerini. The services of the Day Center “Panagia Vimatarissa” include: prevention of dementia, delaying the progression of dementia, as well as support and improvement of the quality of life for caregivers of patients in the early stages of the disease.

The significant impact of the operation of the three Day Centers is demonstrated by the approximately 8,500 beneficiaries (patients and caregivers) who make 161,000 visits per year! The long-term operation of these centers has produced a valuable database containing medical and other characteristics from around 25,000 beneficiaries.
Since 1995, Alzheimer Hellas has demonstrated significant work in promoting quality care for patients with mental disorders, including dementia and their caregivers. Based on the deep knowledge of the disease and the essential, but also side problems it raises, Alzheimer Hellas develops rich social and educational initiatives. These initiatives aim to raise public awareness, provide timely information and education, socialization, extroversion and minimalization of the stigma for people with dementia and their relatives.
Within this framework, Alzheimer Hellas, in collaboration with the Panhellenic Federation of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, co-organizes weekly educational courses aimed at healthcare professionals, as well as the general public. Additionally, since 1997, they have been publishing the quarterly magazine "Communication on Alzheimer's Disease."
With the aim of accurate informing and educating the public, speeches and seminars are regularly organized, either online or in-person, throughout Greece, in various Senior Citizens' Centers, conference halls, churches, nursing homes, universities, and anywhere there is interest in holding such events. Alzheimer Hellas has a strong presence in the media with a regular weekly informational program on DION TV, where experienced healthcare professionals inform the public about this challenging disease. Every two years, the Panhellenic Interdisciplinary Alzheimer's Conference and the Mediterranean Conference on Neurodegenerative Diseases are held, while scientific seminars on topics related to dementia are frequently organized. Alzheimer Hellas participates in global and European conferences, as well as in all Medical and Psychological Conferences both in Greece and internationally.
Additionally, numerous European and Greek research programs applying new technologies are conducted, as well as clinical studies with herbal products such as early harvest olive oil, extra virgin olive oil, olive leaves, aloe, saffron, pomegranate, therapeutic cannabis, mountain tea, and spirulina. Finally, a 24-hour infoline is available, where everyone can seek information after the operating hours of the Day Centers.

General Information:

• Day Centre “Saint Helen”, Syndika 13, Thessaloniki 546 43, Greece. Tel: +30 2310810411, +30 231090900 Αυτή η διεύθυνση ηλεκτρονικού ταχυδρομείου προστατεύεται από τους αυτοματισμούς αποστολέων ανεπιθύμητων μηνυμάτων. Χρειάζεται να ενεργοποιήσετε τη JavaScript για να μπορέσετε να τη δείτε.
• Day Centre “Saint Ioannis”, Karamanli Av. 164, Thessaloniki 542 48, Greece. Tel: +30 2310351451- 5 Αυτή η διεύθυνση ηλεκτρονικού ταχυδρομείου προστατεύεται από τους αυτοματισμούς αποστολέων ανεπιθύμητων μηνυμάτων. Χρειάζεται να ενεργοποιήσετε τη JavaScript για να μπορέσετε να τη δείτε.
• Palliative Care Centre “Panagia Glykofilousa”, Plastira 65, Thessaloniki 542 50, Greece. Tel: +30 2310316143 & +30 2310314601 Αυτή η διεύθυνση ηλεκτρονικού ταχυδρομείου προστατεύεται από τους αυτοματισμούς αποστολέων ανεπιθύμητων μηνυμάτων. Χρειάζεται να ενεργοποιήσετε τη JavaScript για να μπορέσετε να τη δείτε.
• Day Centre “Panagia Vimatarissa”, 7^th Merarchias 14, Katerini 601 33, Greece. Tel: +30 23510 76942 Αυτή η διεύθυνση ηλεκτρονικού ταχυδρομείου προστατεύεται από τους αυτοματισμούς αποστολέων ανεπιθύμητων μηνυμάτων. Χρειάζεται να ενεργοποιήσετε τη JavaScript για να μπορέσετε να τη δείτε.

      E-mail: Αυτή η διεύθυνση ηλεκτρονικού ταχυδρομείου προστατεύεται από τους αυτοματισμούς αποστολέων ανεπιθύμητων μηνυμάτων. Χρειάζεται να ενεργοποιήσετε τη JavaScript για να μπορέσετε να τη δείτε.

      Website: www.alzheimer-hellas.gr

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