This project, with a network of organizations, is trying to give a paradigma shift about early onset dementia, to the region, by a number of activities. The main goal is to bring early onset dementia into the community by giving information and integrate the care for people with early onset dementia in the community. First we are developing activities to promote the awareness and knowledge about the different kind of diseases that are known as ‘Early onset dementia’. An accurate and fast diagnose is the next step and is crucial to a good care-attitude. Further on we support the capacity of the relatives to take care for the people with early onset dementia at home, as long as possible. A day care center in the neighborhood, with professionals and volunteers is supporting our main goal of optimal integration and staying at home as long as possible. At the end we have a small scale housing project for the residential care of people with early onset dementia. This project is unique in Belgium, and as far as we know in Europe. Presentation by Paul Braem

1. PRoF-award 2015

3. Dementia as an older person’s disease
Dementia diagnosed before the age of 65
Lack of epidemiological data in Belgium

4.  Difficulties in obtaining a correct diagnosis
 Issues of self-esteem
 Changing relationships within family
 Awareness of changes in the mind
(Harris e.a. 2014)

5.  Workforce and retirement/financial issues
 Feelings of extreem isolation and exclusion
 Increasing dependency
 Lack of meaningful occupation
(Harris e.a. 2014)

7. SEL
AZ Sint Jan
AZ Sint
Lucas
Foton
Rozemarijn
Day care
center
WZC Regina
Coeli
Residential
unit

8. Promoting awareness and knowledge
Quick diagnose
Optimal integration in the community
Supporting and empowering caregivers
and people with early onset dementia
Specialized and adjusted care programs

9. First stage (SEL):
 Inform caregivers and professionals
• Lectures for schools, clubs and associations
• Publications in different magazines
• Dissimination by flyers
• Organisation of symposia
Second stage (AZ Sint Lucas – AZ Sint Jan)
 Accurate diagnose by multidisciplinary teams
in a ‘Center for cognitive diagnostics and
revalidation’

10. Third stage (FOTON-dementia expert
center)
Delivering specialized homecare and
support
• Psychological and social support for patients and
their caregivers
• Individual counseling or group meetings
• Empowerment – Cooping mechanisms

11.  Third stage : small
scale day care center
• Situated in the
community
• Optimal integration
• Adjusted programs
• 15 people with early
onset dementia
• Professionals and
volunteers

12. Fourth stage
 Small scale residential
unit
 15 people with early
onset dementia
 Normalisation
 Adapted program
 Professionals and
volunteers

13. Higher awareness for early onset dementia
in the community
Relatives and caregivers have optimal
support
People with early onset dementia can live
longer at home
Lowers social isolation
Adjusted day-care and residential
programs in a familiar enviroment

14. Expensive hospitalisation is often avoided
Special program for children of people with
early onset dementia
The network leads to higher expertise by
the professionals
Volunteers as ambassadors for the
network
Great intrest as well in Belgium as in
foreign country’s

15. Member of the Flemish working group
early onset dementia
Open house – attitude
Policy document for the secretary-general
of the administration ‘Welfare, Family and
Health’
Roll out this care-innovation program all
over Flanders