2023-12-09 08:30:00
20 Years of the Alzheimer Café in Veenendaal
For the last twenty years, a group of informal caregivers and experienced experts have been gathering every month in the Veenendaal residential care center De Engelenburgh. This group make up the Alzheimer Café Veenendaal/Renswoude, which celebrated its twentieth anniversary last month.
Frans Meijman, the coordinator of the group, acknowledged that while the name “Alzheimer’s” and “café” don’t entirely do their group justice, they provide a space for contacts with fellow sufferers, exchange of personal thoughts and feelings, and increasing knowledge and awareness of dementia.
With dementia growing explosively due to population growth and aging, the organization aims to support informal caregivers, who often experience considerable pressure. The number of people with dementia in the Netherlands is expected to double to half a million by 2040, and with limited government support, there is a significant need for informal support.
The Alzheimer Café meets once a month, providing a safe space to discuss the impacts of dementia. Upcoming meetings include a focus on music and Christmas, highlighting the beneficial effects of music and providing support during the holiday season.
To learn more, visit www.dementieveenendaal.nl.]
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