Lodi Launches “Don’t Ask Me to Remember” Initiative to Support Alzheimer’s & Dementia Patients and Caregivers
the Municipality of Lodi, in partnership with the Health Promotion and Protection Organisation and ASST Lodi, has unveiled a new project aimed at destigmatizing and supporting individuals living with Alzheimer’s and dementia, as well as their families and caregivers. Called “Don’t Ask Me to Remember,” the initiative was presented at palazzo Broletto and seeks to bring vital resources directly to local neighborhoods.
The project’s core mission is twofold: to increase public understanding of cognitive decline through data and training, and to actively include those affected by dementia in community life while providing crucial support to those who care for them. Welfare Councilor Simonetta Pozzoli and Councilor for Local Health and Medicine, Silvana Cesani, emphasized the importance of breaking down the social stigma often associated with these conditions.
“Don’t Ask Me to Remember” is a collaborative effort, bringing together expertise from Fondazione Santa Chiara (with doctors Donatella Bellocchio and Maria Grazia Santus), local associations Fiab Lodi Ciclodi (Giuseppe Mancini) and nautilus Laboratory (Maria Notarianni), and ASST lodi (represented by General Director Guido Grignaffini and Dr. Sara Forlani). City Councilor Simona Bernasconi played a key role in the project’s conception and planning, with Lavinia Schiavi serving as community facilitator.
A series of public meetings will kick off the initiative at the oratory of San Bernardo, all held from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The schedule includes:
* November 20th: Dr. Carlo Rovelli – “Signs and Behaviors to Pay Attention To in the Initial and Full-Blown Phases”
* November 27th: Dr. Fraia Falvo – “The Diagnosis, Treatment, and Assistance Network in the Province of Lodi”
* December 11th: Dr. Anna Rebagliati – “How to Manage Everyday Life and Unexpected Events”
* January 15th, 2026: Dr.Paolo Astrone – “The Role of the Caregiver: Helping and Supporting those Who Help. Measures to Support Assistance and Care”
* January 22nd, 2026: Dr. Sara Del Duca – ”Strategies of Daily Interaction and Coexistence Inside and Outside the Home”
The project’s title, inspired by a common phrase expressed by those experiencing early symptoms of cognitive decline, underscores its commitment to empathy and understanding. “Don’t Ask Me to Remember” aims to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for individuals and families navigating the challenges of Alzheimer’s and dementia within the Lodi community.