International dementia conference set for Swakopmund

The recently concluded ‘Walking the Talk for Dementia’ (WTD) symposium held last month in Spain’s Camino Santiago De Compostela has paved the way for an international dementia conference at Swakopmund next year.

This groundbreaking initiative brought together approximately 70 individuals, referred to as ‘pilgrims’, hailing from 30 different nations and a wide array of professional backgrounds (including those who have and live with dementia), to take up the cause of building a better world for people with dementia.

Berrie Holtzhausen of Alzheimer Dementia Namibia also participated.

“The lessons and experiences from the Camino and the symposium have equipped us with valuable insights that will guide us in organising the conference at Swakopmund,” said Holtzhausen told The Namibian on his return.

“The goal is to build on these efforts to further enhance dementia awareness and care in Africa, particularly Namibia.”

Holtzhausen said, the WTD de­monstrated the need for global linkages, networks and convenings to be immersive in conversation, to share insights and make genuine lifelong positive change.

The WTD event purposed it towards a noble cause: confronting the global challenge of dementia, a condition affecting nearly 50 million people worldwide according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), a figure expected to triple by 2050.

According to Fernando Aguzzoli-Peres, co-founder of the WTD project, the personal stories and experiences of those living with dementia added an “unprecedented” depth to the event, fostering a deeper understanding and empathy for the challenges faced by those diagnosed with dementia.

“We need to show that it is possible to experience joyful moments, as long as society adapts to support individuals living with dementia, rather than expecting them to conform,” he stressed.

Highlighting the unique challenges faced in Africa, neurologist Temitope Farombi noted the need for greater understanding and support for those living with dementia in the continent.

“Africa seems to be bedevilled by poor knowledge and lack of awareness of dementia symptoms, stigmatisation that is driven by cultural and religious beliefs, and very little or no structured support systems for families of persons living with dementia,” he said.