Health and Health Care Innovation - Session 585: Changing Minds: Innovations in Dementia Care and Dementia-Friendly Communities

^{June 2021 Update}

Fulbright Salzburg Global Fellow Katerina Nomidou authors a chapter in a new book on exploring legal capacity in the realm of mental health through the lens of the UN Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities: https://www.cambridge.org/us/academic/subjects/law/medico-legal-bioethics-and-health-law/mental-health-legal-capacity-and-human-rights?format=HB

Fulbright Salzburg Global Fellow Katerina Nomidou  joins the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) on the mental health impacts of COVID-19 in the WHO European Region  to review available evidence on observed and experienced mental health impacts of COVID-19 in the Region, and to identify remaining gaps in the evidence base, as well as key emergent needs and implications for mental health service development and system strengthening as an integrated component of COVID-19 recovery:
https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/noncommunicable-diseases/mental-health/policy-frameworks/technical-advisory-group-on-the-mental-health-impacts-of-covid-19-in-the-who-european-region  

^{June 2018 Update}

Together with an extraordinary bunch of fifty participants from fourteen countries, I have enjoyed the most intensive, inspiring, enriching and unforgettable five days in my professional career. Many thanks to the whole organizing team of the 587th Salzburg Global Seminar Changing Minds: Innovations in Dementia Care and Dementia-Friendly Communities and the Fulbright Foundation in Greece.

The session was highly participatory, with a strong focus on building new insights and aggregating perspectives and experiences from different sectors, areas of expertise and regions. The session shared knowledge and innovation across borders on how best to support families and allow persons with dementia to maintain dignity, independence, and fulfilling relationships at the highest level for as long as possible – to carry on with living in the face of a dementia diagnosis. I’ve learned that different cultures and long distances do not separate, but common goals unite. I have learned that building bridges across continents starts with dialogue, laughs and open-minded discussions. But most of all: I have learned that building on dementia-friendly communities is building on human-friendly communities, where people are respected, empowered and understood regardless their age, religion, talents or condition. Working groups, each with a thematic focus, prepared recommendations. And that is a win-win for everybody involved, so the time is now to take the next steps starting from changing minds!

Aikaterini Nomidou is a Fulbright Alumna of the 2018-2019 Salzburg Global Seminar

^{_{Photo Credit: Salzburg Global Seminar}}