They may forget names, but never their love!

An event for September 21 World Alzheimer's Day was organized by Üsküdar University Institute of Social Sciences. At the event, themed 'Ask About Dementia, Ask About Alzheimer's,' the effects of Alzheimer's disease on both patients and their relatives were discussed from a multidisciplinary perspective. The difficulties of the process, and how it can be managed with support, empathy, holistic care, rehabilitation, social activities, and family collaboration were emphasized. It was stated that Alzheimer's affects not only memory but also behavior, independent living, and social relationships. Furthermore, it was highlighted that patients' quality of life can be improved with physiotherapy and various activities.

The event, held at Üsküdar University Çarşı Campus Emirnebi 2 Conference Hall, was attended by Dr. Faculty Member İdil Arasan Doğan from Üsküdar University Institute of Social Sciences; Dr. Psychologist İnci Birincioğlu; Social Worker Cengiz Çelikçi; Dyt. Berfin Dinsel İnan, Founding Partner of the Elderly Care Center; Physiotherapist Tuncay Yürüyücü; and Sertaç Süslü, a relative of an Alzheimer's patient.   

Dr. Faculty Member İdil Arasan Doğan: “If individuals and their families are supported, the process can be managed much more easily”

Dr. Faculty Member İdil Arasan Doğan from Üsküdar University Institute of Social Sciences, stating that Alzheimer's is a challenging process requiring 24-hour care, said: “Alzheimer's is not considered a normal part of aging. We know that late diagnoses are predominantly more dominant in genetic processes, and the course of the disease progresses aggressively. Therefore, it is not really possible for us to just say ‘they are old, they have dementia, they are an Alzheimer's patient’ and be done with it. This is a societal issue. If individuals and their families are supported, and their emotions are met, the process becomes much easier to manage. We are talking about a process that requires 24-hour care. This process means taking on the responsibility for another person's life. Therefore, we are talking about a significant care burden. It leads to a situation that presents with symptoms of burnout, but subsequently causes processes like depression or anxiety.”

“It is known that there are currently over 1 million diagnosed individuals in our country”

Emphasizing the great importance of both post-diagnosis support and social awareness during the disease process, Dr. Doğan said: “In our relationships, we strive to establish an emotion-based bond. However, especially in post-diagnosis processes, support remains insufficient, and accessibility is quite problematic. National dementia plans are being tried to be implemented with current governments; some are coming to fruition, while others are only partially applicable. The impact of local governments and universities here is quite significant. In recent years, some drugs are being developed, and news like ‘Alzheimer's cure found’ is emerging. However, these drugs are still in the experimental stage, generally used in very early-stage patients, and have high side effects. Therefore, we cannot speak of a definitive cure for Alzheimer's today. It is known that there are currently over one million diagnosed individuals in our country. Alongside this, Alzheimer's patients and their relatives also face discrimination. Relatives of patients are both isolated from society and may feel shame due to their patients' behavior. However, when they learn and internalize the process in a healthier way, they realize that it is not actually like that.”

Dr. Psychologist İnci Birincioğlu: “How words are spoken can also be forgotten”

Speaking under the title “Clinical Course and Brain Changes in Alzheimer's Disease,” Dr. Psychologist İnci Birincioğlu said: “The brain is a very complex organ. Nerve cells transmit information via axons and synapses. If proteins are not broken down correctly, unrecognized waste products accumulate in the brain, and cells detach from each other and die. For Alzheimer's symptoms to appear, tens of thousands of cells must be lost. This is why the disease goes unnoticed for a long time. Over time, difficulties in word finding, self-expression, and social relationships begin. Not only forgetfulness, but also how words are spoken can be forgotten.”

Sertaç Süslü: “As relatives of patients, we want more empathy and sensitivity”

Sertaç Süslü, a relative of an Alzheimer's patient, emphasized the importance of empathy. Süslü said: “As patient relatives, we want more empathy and sensitivity. The only problem for Alzheimer's patients is not just this disease. We often have to make hospital visits, but during these processes, we want to be met with understanding, without being kept waiting. As the disease progresses, disability conditions develop, and the disability report process is quite exhausting for both our patients and us. Sometimes we encounter specialists who are unaware of the progression of Alzheimer's, which further complicates the process. Most patient relatives work; with work during the day and patient care at night, people cannot keep up and even have to quit their jobs. Therefore, there is a need for day care centers where art, music, physical, and cognitive therapies can be conducted. We also experience serious problems in public transportation. We expect support from our municipalities in this regard.”

Cengiz Çelikçi: “We get reacquainted with our patients every day”

Social Worker Cengiz Çelikçi spoke under the title “Kadıköy Alzheimer Center Example in Day and Nursing Home Services in Local Governments.” Çelikçi said: “The aim of our center is to improve the quality of life of patients, ensure their mental well-being, and raise awareness among their relatives. We accept Alzheimer's patients in the early and middle stages and evaluate them with cognitive tests. We provide services two days a week, for two hours each, but our capacity is limited, and there is high demand. In our center, mental activities, exercises, dance, drama, and memory-sharing workshops are implemented. We get reacquainted with our patients every day; instead of confronting them with the disease, we do activities that make them feel good. The elderly are especially happy to be together with young people.”

Names may be forgotten, but love and attention never!

Dyt. Berfin Dinsel İnan, Founding Partner of the Elderly Care Center, made striking evaluations under the title “Holistic Approach to Alzheimer's in Institutional Care: Nutrition and Support.” Drawing attention to the difficulties experienced by both patients and their relatives during the Alzheimer's process, İnan said: “Alzheimer's radically changes daily life. Morning routines become difficult, meal times get confused, the perception of day and time is lost, and the same questions are repeated. Even small changes can create great unease. At this point, institutional care gains importance. Patients are under 24/7 surveillance with doctors, nurses, dietitians, and care teams; medication and health checks are performed regularly, and their loneliness is reduced through social activities. Care includes not only medication and health monitoring but also nutrition, attention, activities, and family support. We must walk side-by-side with families because we cannot carry out the process healthily without them conveying the patient's past and habits to us. In Alzheimer's, names may be forgotten, but love and attention are never forgotten.”

Tuncay Yürüyücü: “We support cognitive functions and mood”

Physiotherapist Tuncay Yürüyücü spoke under the title “Movement and Physiotherapy for Quality of Life in Alzheimer's.” Emphasizing that Alzheimer's affects not only memory but also behavior and independent living, Yürüyücü said: “With exercises, we preserve muscle strength, improve balance and coordination, and support cognitive functions and mood. The brain is open to lifelong development; new information, social activities, balanced nutrition, and quality sleep strengthen this process. We reduce patients' sitting time and engage them in activities like climbing stairs and walking. Social interaction and spending time with grandchildren are also important. When we gain the patients' trust, our work becomes much more productive.”

 The event concluded after a group photo session.