Edith de Jong and Willy van der Khaak (right) from the expertise center for young people with dementia speak at the Alzheimer Café on Thursday, December 14. (Photo: Dementia Expertise Center)
The stereotypical image of dementia is an older man or woman walking down the street in pajamas and barefoot. Looking for a home that no longer exists. But dementia comes in many forms and can also affect young people. The upcoming Alzheimer Café on December 14 will focus on young people with dementia.
“We talk about dementia at a younger age if the person diagnosed is younger than 65 years old,” says Mandy Visser, pub owner of the Alzheimer Café in Leiden. “Alzheimer’s is Alzheimer’s, so it’s not that people get a different form of dementia, but they are at a different stage of their lives. Sometimes they still have a family with children, they still work. Then completely different environmental factors play a role. It is also often not immediately recognized as dementia.”
Center of expertise
A good reason to invite two experts to talk about this subject in the Alzheimer Café on Thursday, December 14. “Willy van der Khaak and Edith de Jong from Marente’s Expertise Center for Dementia at a Young Age are our guest speakers. Van der Khaak works every day with younger people with dementia in the nursing home and De Jong is a psychologist.”
Nieuws071 presenter Gerry van Bakel in conversation with Mandy Visser about dementia in young people.
The aim of the Alzheimer Café is to create an informal atmosphere in which people can exchange information, ask questions and meet each other. “During the walk-in and during the break there is music and you get a drink.” It is always a pleasant evening, despite the heavy theme. “That’s why we call ourselves ‘bar owners’,” says Visser, who holds that office together with Marleen Dohmen. Visser is also a researcher at healthcare organization Topaz.
Second Thursday
“With the Alzheimer Cafés we focus on people with dementia and their loved ones, but we also see that many people come who work in healthcare themselves. Ultimately, of course, everyone is welcome. First there will be an interview with the guest speakers and there will be plenty of opportunity to ask questions. There is a different theme every month, our café evenings are always on the second Thursday of the month.”
The Alzheimer Café is an accessible meeting place for people who have dementia themselves, or who know someone with dementia and want to know more. Admission is free, registration is not required. Walk-in from 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM. Address: SBO De Vlieger, Boerhaavelaan 298 in Leiden. More information can be found at the website of Alzheimer Café in the Leiden region.
Leiden Society
2023-12-12 10:50:39
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