According to estimates, there were 139,000 people with dementia in Portugal in 2005, with 70,000 having Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer Portugal was founded 20 years ago to improve quality of life for those with Alzheimer's and their caregivers through information and support. While it has expanded services and partnerships, Alzheimer Portugal recognizes it cannot reach all who need support. Its main goal is now lobbying for a National Dementia Plan to make dementia a national health priority and improve support and policies for those with Alzheimer's and their caregivers.

1. www.alzheimerportugal.org

2. Facts and Figures
In 2005, the European Commission estimated
139 000 people with dementia in Portugal, 70
000 of which with Alzheimer's disease.
The real number is unknown due to the lack of
epidemiological studies.
www.alzheimerportugal.org

3. According to estimates by INE*, in 2007
Portugal had 26% of seniors (65 years or older)
for every 100 people in working age.
By 2025, the figure could raise to 34% and in
2050 to 58% . (2008: 27, INE - Population and Society)
Most of older people in Portugal do not have
the health cares they need.
www.alzheimerportugal.org

4. Lobbying for Change
The experience of Alzheimer Portugal
www.alzheimerportugal.org

5. ALZHEIMER PORTUGAL was founded 20 years
ago, to improve the quality of life of people
with Alzheimer’s and their carers, mainly
through information and carers support.
In 2003 opened the first Day Care Centre and
Home Care Service in Portugal, specifically
created for people with dementia.
www.alzheimerportugal.org

6. Since then, the association kept growing in
associates, services and partnerships with
private and public organizations.
ALZHEIMER PORTUGAL is now a reference in
Portugal, but we can’t reach everyone who
needs support.
www.alzheimerportugal.org

7. The priorities of the European Alzheimer
Movement are very clear in our minds.
Lobbying for a National Dementia Plan is NOW
our main goal, and ALZHEIMER PORTUGAL is
determined to make dementia a national
health priority.
www.alzheimerportugal.org

8. Advocacy and Lobbying
Advocacy is to speak on behalf of others, to
plead a case, to champion a cause.
Lobbying is Advocacy directed at the political
level to change the status quo by influencing
legislation and policy.
www.alzheimerportugal.org

9. We need to LOBBY :
Influence laws and public policies;
Raise public awareness about our cause;
Get our case on the political agenda;
Mobilize external audience - public opinion
Mobilize internal audience - associates,
volunteers and donors;
Attract media coverage.
www.alzheimerportugal.org

10. Why Lobby?
Public Health is highly political in Portugal, due
to the bureaucracy and to the centralist
mentality.
Government budgets are limited and Dementia
is not a priority for the NHS.
There is no national plan for Alzheimer’s and
no particular policy for people with dementia.
www.alzheimerportugal.org

11. Reimbursement for specific drugs is only 40%
of its cost.
Merely a few private nursing homes are
prepared to accept people with dementia and
there is no support for carers who keep people
with dementia at home.
People expect ALZHEIMER PORTUGAL to
continue creating more services such as
Nursing Homes and Day Care Centres.
www.alzheimerportugal.org

12. Why Lobby?
What is our mission? What are our limits?
Can we really improve the quality of life of 70000
people with Alzheimer’s and their carers?
Is it reasonable to keep increasing human
resources and premises costs? Can we keep a
financial balance?
Can we keep independent from those we want to
lobby?
www.alzheimerportugal.org

13. Why Lobby Now…
We already have the experience on the
Services – Day Care Centre, Home Support
Service, Social and Psychological support,
Training, Communication.
We also have the experience on the
networking – partnerships with Government,
Municipalities, Universities, Pharmaceutical
industry, Health professionals, NGO’s, etc.
www.alzheimerportugal.org

14. Why Lobby Now…
We can NOW share our experience.
www.alzheimerportugal.org

15. International Level
ALZHEIMER PORTUGAL is a member of
Alzheimer Europe and Alzheimer Disease
International.
ALZHEIMER PORTUGAL is deeply involved in
the European dementia movement and
participates actively in its initiatives;
www.alzheimerportugal.org

16. We have raised the level of our Lobby in order
to have Portuguese MEP’s supporting
Alzheimer Europe initiatives:
•In March 2007, only 3 Portuguese MEP´s have
signed the Paris Declaration. By December
2007, the number was already 10 MEP´s;
•20 out of 24 Portuguese Members of the
European Parliament signed the Written
Declaration 80/2008.
www.alzheimerportugal.org

17. By promoting action on Dementia as a
European priority, we started defending action
on Dementia as a National priority.
As the only national Alzheimer´s association in
Portugal, and with over 20 years of experience
promoting the quality of life of people with
dementia and their carers, now is the time to
demand for a NATIONAL DEMENTIA PLAN.
www.alzheimerportugal.org

18. FUTURE LOBBY INICIATIVES
Exhibition in the Portuguese Parliament
January 2010;
Meetings with Portuguese MP’s;
Plenary session in the Portuguese Parliament;
Public campaign with media support;
Written petition for a National Dementia Plan.
www.alzheimerportugal.org

19. Move from the Personal to the Political
but never forget to add the Human face.
This is about PEOPLE, not about figures.
www.alzheimerportugal.org