The Dementia India Alliance (DIA) today concluded its 2-day International Dementia Care Conference (DEMCON’24) titled ‘Reaching the Unreached’ in Dementia Care. The event, held at the JN Tata Auditorium Indian Institute of Science Bengaluru on 29-30 November, provided a platform for global experts, researchers, healthcare professionals, and caregivers to address the pressing issue of dementia.
The second day of DemCon’24 successfully built upon the momentum established on the first day, featuring a series of impactful presentations and discussions led by eminent experts. Professor Warren Harding from Macquarie University and Chairman of Alzheimer’s Western Australia addressed the delegates, focusing on strategies to mitigate cognitive decline. In his presentation, he explored a variety of approaches, including early detection, the creation of dementia-friendly communities, and the implementation of supportive services such as memory cafes and home care initiatives.
During the valedictory program, Dr. Radha S. Murthy, President of DIA, commented, “We collaborated with the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) to draft the Dementia Friendly Hospital Checklist. Persons with dementia may need to visit a hospital for non-dementia related medical issues. This checklist will enable hospitals to create a dementia-friendly environment.”
Dr Pratima Murthy, Director of NIMHANS, guest of honour, emphasised the need for networking and collaboration among different stakeholders (family caregivers, clinicians, researchers, policymakers) to ensure there are innovative and scalable solutions for dementia care.
Mr. Andrew Larpent, Founder and Chairman Emeritus, CommonAge officially released the Commonwealth Report. This report offers insights for policymakers, community organizations and healthcare professionals, highlighting diverse approaches to dementia care. Dr. Mathew Verghese, Chairperson of the Scientific Committee for DemCon’24, concluded the conference with a heartfelt Vote of Thanks.
Several noteworthy highlights characterized the second day’s proceedings. The Dementia Tech Thinkathon culminated in the announcement of winners whose innovative technology solutions aim to enhance the quality of life for individuals with dementia and their families, with prizes totaling Rs. 2.5 lakhs awarded to the recipients.
The expansion of education and training in dementia care was a focal point of the day’s agenda. The Health Sector Skill Council (HSSC) approved certification for courses developed by DIA, tailored specifically for doctors, healthcare professionals, and social workers. Furthermore, DIA announced a collaboration with Renaissance eServices to launch online training modules for nurses, doctors, and hospital administrators on platforms such as Psychology World and Meducination.com. Partnerships were also announced with GreenXt Technology Solutions to create bite-sized learning modules, as well as with ECHO India to facilitate large-scale training in vernacular languages.
Finally, DIA announced the exchange of letter of intents with Alzheimer’s Western Australia and CommonAge, aimed at enhancing capability building, sharing best practices, and advancing research initiatives in the field of dementia care.
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