Alzheimer Disease Societies Croatia (ADSC) was founded in 1999 in Zagreb, and its branch at Rab in 2003. The main aim was to help people with dementia (PWD), their families and careers. ADSC fight stigma, brings education to target and general population. ADSC has about 550 members. We don't have paid staff, so the whole work is done by volunteers. Due to fact that Croatia has old population there is an approximation that we have today more than 50 000 people with dementia in Croatia, and belief of experts are that this number is going to quadruple by 2040. From its beginnings the ADSC has monthly meetings for families of PWD and all other interested. The ADSC has published four booklets, printed in large number and distributed in all old people homes in Croatia, send to all general practitioners, all members of ADSC and their families. Till know we have organized two Conferences on Alzheimer's disease (AD) (in Zagreb), three Symposiums on Psychogeriatrics (Rab), and numerous lectures. The members of ADSC, in many occasions, have spoken to media (TV, radio, newspapers) to raise awareness about dementia. Every year we celebrate the Alzheimer's day on September 21st. Our Society has a 24 hours help-line (091 569 16 60). We have our web-site (www.alzheimer.hr) and e-mail address: alzheimer@alzheimer.hr. Our work is also internationally recognized, so we become a provisional member of Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) in 2005, and in 2006 we have applied for full membership of ADI. Two of our members attend The Alzheimer's University in London this year. In 2006 (from September 7-10) ADSC is celebrating the centenary of the identification and naming of AD, organizing 3rd Croatian Congress on Alzheimer's Disease with international participation at Brijuni, Croatia. In the near future, when we get the space, we are planning to organize the Living- room for PWD. So, for know we are lobbing for adequate office, and hope that our Government will understand our need. |