A workshop on training caregivers of Alzheimer's patients kicked off on Tuesday, co-organized by the Qatar National Dementia Plan team and the Alzheimer's Disease International through the Geriatrics and Long Term Care Department at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).

The workshop is attended by 32 employees of HMC, individuals caring for the elderly, Alzheimer's patients, their families, and private nursing staff as part of the Qatar National Dementia Plan 2018-2022 and in preparation for the World Alzheimer's Month held every September.

Consultant Geriatrician at HMC Dr. Maryam Al Obaidli said the workshop aims to familiarize participants with all aspects of Alzheimer's disease and to train them on how to deal with patients and their needs at the different stages of the disease in order to provide them with the best health care according to international standards. She added the activities include training participants on optimal care methods for Alzheimer's patients.

Obaidli said Alzheimer's disease is a common disease among the elderly, she added that the rates of dementia increase with age, which affects memory and behavior and the ability of the patient to judge things, and the ability to do affairs of their daily life, pointing out that patients are diagnosed through memory clinics in Rumailah Hospital, Enaya Specialized Care Center, and home visits by HMC teams for patients at home according to patient needs.

Executive Director of Nursing at Rumailah Hospital Mariam Al Mutawa said the training workshop is the first of its kind in the region dedicated to caregivers of Alzheimer's patients and their families to enhance their professional abilities and is in line with the National Dementia Plan launched in November 2018. It is a comprehensive framework to achieve the national goal of prioritizing healthy aging within the National Health Strategy and the State vision to develop care services for people living with Alzheimer's disease. It is also consistent with the World Health Organization's attention to care for older persons, thereby reducing the economic burden of care for this group.

She noted the participation of the State of Qatar in an expanded international survey of the Alzheimer's Disease International disease in order to identify individuals' knowledge of the disease, developing the methods of care provided to them.

Source: QNA

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Binu Cherian

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