“My mother lived in the countryside. From the moment she was diagnosed she moved to Athens and I took over her responsibility. Me, my husband and my child must live together in the same house. There is no extra room. The three-seater sofa is no more, it has been replaced by a hospital bed.” OUR Maria Polizoi about three years ago, she took over the care of her mother when she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. At first it was difficult to accept. Such as refers to “K”, “I took my mother to as many centers and medical professionals as possible, because at first I don’t want to believe that this is a diagnosis. You are trying to change this diagnosis. At some point, when the confession comes, you roll up your sleeves.”

Ms. Poluzoy is one of more than 400,000 carers for people with dementia in our country. More than 160,000 people are estimated to have dementia, the most common form of which is Alzheimer’s disease. For each patient, there are 2-3 nurses, usually family members, the vast majority of whom are women and are completely unprepared for the complex role that they are offered to take on. On occasion March 18, Guardian’s Day, Ms. Polyzoy describes her own experience. “In the beginning, I had to learn what illness is and how to deal with practical matters. While she could still walk, I had to make sure there was safety and dignity in the space for her and for all of us.” At the same time, he had to “carry out” procedures with banks and services, which in some cases showed indifference or ignorance, in order to obtain any financial assistance provided for patients and carers.

To get support in caring for her mother, Ms Polizoi contacted the Alzheimer’s Society of Athens and the home program. “The first meeting took place, I was transported, and then exercise therapy began for my mother and with a psychologist for me. At some point, the circle closes. Now the nurse helps her bathe her mother once a week. “At this stage, which is also the last stage, there is anxiety and despair, especially at night, because you don’t know how events will develop. There should be a 24/7 hotline that we can call. For us there are no holidays and celebrations. My family and I are in a long quarantine. I forgot what freedom is. I need to find a nurse friend who knows how to take care of my mother so that I can walk for two hours with my child and husband,” she notes.

Over the past 25 years, Alzheimer’s disease companies have been established in various cities to provide free services to patients and caregivers. The Athens Alzheimer Society Day Care Centers (Pagrati, Panormou, Maroussi, Ilioupoli, Ilion, Aspropyrgos) serve over 2,000 people monthly and over 900 people participate in online services. Such as refers to “K” President of the Society and the National Observatory of Dementia, neurologist-psychiatrist Friday Sacca, the program of the Day Centers includes a memory clinic, procedures to strengthen mental functions, individual and group creativity, and fitness programs. Accordingly, the home program covers more than 500 families. Providing services in the home is one of the two main tasks of caregivers. Other financial. Such as notes on “K” social worker, company manager, etc. Irini Vamwakari, “is a medical condition that results in a loss of income for a caregiver who is either forced to quit their job to care for a patient or hire another caregiver. Hosting in private structures has a monthly cost, which usually starts from 1000 to 1500 euros.”

Benefits

There is no uniformity in benefits received by patients and carers. As Ms. Sacca pointed out, “Some of the older foundations, such as TSMEDE, pay care allowance. The former IKA provided benefits, but the Ministry of Finance did not. We are also one of the few countries in Europe where the construction of housing for children of the 3rd age is not subsidized. At the same time, in neighboring Bulgaria, living in a nursing home is subsidized, and in Sweden, the state announces a tender for the purchase of services from private housing structures.