Asst. Prof. İdil Arasan Doğan explained the importance of early intervention in living with dementia

In cooperation with Üsküdar University, Maltepe University, and the Kadıköy Branch of the Turkish Alzheimer's Association, the 'World Alzheimer's Day Symposium' was held as part of World Alzheimer's Day. Asst. Prof. İdil Arasan Doğan from the Üsküdar University Institute of Social Sciences, who participated in the symposium, delivered a speech titled 'Learning to Live with Dementia: Early Intervention and Psychoeducation-Based Rehabilitation'. Emphasizing the importance of early intervention and caregiver support in the dementia process, Doğan stated that psychoeducation is not merely about providing information or brochures, and stressed that caregivers need a structured support program concerning the course of the disease, behavioral symptoms, emotional processes, and intra-family role sharing.

The opening speeches of the symposium, held in Maltepe University's Süha Arın Conference Hall, were delivered by Maltepe University Vice Rector Prof. Esra Sağlam and Prof. Nilgün Çınar, Head of the Kadıköy Branch of the Turkish Alzheimer's Association.

In the program, Asst. Prof. İdil Arasan Doğan spoke under the title 'Learning to Live with Dementia: Early Intervention and Psychoeducation-Based Rehabilitation'. 

Asst. Prof. İdil Arasan Doğan: “Giving brochures is not psychoeducation” 

Asst. Prof. İdil Arasan Doğan stated that information and psychoeducation are often thought to be the same thing, and emphasized that the two should be distinguished. Doğan said: “Giving brochures is not psychoeducation. Psychoeducation requires a program, a schedule, and an implementer. Because the person who will implement all interventions for the patient at home is the caregiver, and that person is often left unprepared.”

Doğan, stating that psychoeducation programs for caregivers are built upon four components, said: “Information communication regarding the course of the disease and medical follow-up; skills in recognizing behavioral symptoms and managing daily routines; emotional processing that addresses guilt, anger, and burnout; and a systemic dimension covering intra-family role sharing and institutional support are necessary.”  

What the caregiver experiences is the grief for a living person

Doğan stated that depression observed in the patient himself/herself in the early stage is often overlooked, and emphasized that the moment of diagnosis is also a role transition. The person transitions from a decision-maker role to a patient role, mourns the lost functions, and intra-family role conflicts become prominent during this period.

Arasan Doğan, stating that a similar situation is observed in the caregiver, noted the following: 

“The grief experienced by the caregiver is the grief for a living person. The sentence 'My spouse is here, but it's not them anymore' explains this. Added to this is the transition from being a spouse or child to being a caregiver, the problem of burden sharing among siblings, and isolation resulting from not knowing how to ask for support. These are not scattered complaints, but intervention topics that have been worked on.”  

One point for each professional group in the hall

Arasan Doğan, who concluded her presentation with recommendations for different professional groups in the hall, reminded physicians to also ask the person accompanying the patient 'How are you?' when communicating the diagnosis, psychologists to apply protocols instead of general support, and institutions that one room, two trained implementers, and a temporary care solution are sufficient to start the program.

Arasan Doğan concluded her speech with the following words to the relatives of patients; “Your fatigue is not weakness; it is a measurable and manageable condition. In dementia, alongside what we cannot stop today, there is always a side that we can strengthen.”