Dementia

Info-Zenter Demenz

The Info-Zenter Demenz is the national information and advice centre specialising in all matters relating to memory problems and dementia.

It is available to people affected by memory problems or living with dementia, their relatives, healthcare professionals and anyone else who is interested.

The Info-Zenter Demenz provides free information and helps you:

to better understand memory and orientation problems, as well as the various forms of dementia
to organise your life in a positive way despite such impairments, whether you are the person affected or a relative.

The Info-Zenter Demenz provides information on support and assistance services available in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. It refers you to providers and services that may be able to help you in specific situations (home help and care services, day centres, retirement and care homes, psychological, social and occupational therapy support, etc.)

Furthermore, the Info-Zenter strives to improve the general public’s understanding of memory disorders and dementia. To this end, it organises awareness-raising campaigns, conferences and information sessions.

All counselling services and documents provided are free of charge.

To find out more about dementia or to make an appointment, please visit the website www.demenz.lu.

The Dementia Prevention Programme

Objectives

The Dementia Prevention Programme (pdp) aims to tackle the development of memory problems through a range of preventive measures.

The pdp provides those affected with long-term support and advice (see Target audience). The pdp provides this assistance in close cooperation with the individuals' doctors.

The pdp was launched in June 2015 by the Ministry of Health.

Target audience

The PDP is primarily aimed at people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Given the importance of preventing dementia as early as possible, the programme is also open to people experiencing Subjective Cognitive Decline, i.e. the perception of a decline in cognitive function that has not yet been demonstrated by neuropsychological tests. The programme is also aimed at people carrying genetic mutations associated with an increased risk of dementia, but who have not yet noticed any deterioration in their cognitive performance.

Collaboration with doctors

The decision to enrol a participant in the pdp is made in consultation with the attending physician. Indeed, it is the doctor who submits an application on behalf of their patient, with the latter's consent. Patients do not apply to take part in the pdp themselves directly.

Programme costs

It is free and voluntary to take part in the pdp. The Ministry of Health pays the costs of participating in the pdp.

Preventing dementia

Preventive measures can be used to slow the development of memory issues. However, the effectiveness of these measures depends on many individual factors (including, for example, general state of health, lifestyle, physical exercise, environment, and genetics). For this reason, the pdp develops a tailored programme for each and every participant.

Although the pdp does not provide medical care, it can help ensure continuity of care by referring participants to appropriate information providers and care centres.

Diagnosis

As part of the pdp, participants are examined by a neuropsychologist who will assess their memory and draw up an individual risk profile. If necessary, the doctor can also arrange for further examinations.

Medication and prevention

To date, there are no drugs specifically designed to prevent dementia. Nevertheless, by using different preventive measures, it is possible to take action when memory issues arise.

There are some medications such as lipid-lowering drugs (used to reduce blood cholesterol levels to bring them closer to normal values) that are thought to have an indirect positive effect on the progression of dementia.

Only the patient's doctor can recommend the use of specific medicinal products.

Partners

The pdp cooperates with partners on the ground in the areas of

cognitive training
physical and social activities
dietary advice
social assistance

These partners, from both medical and non-medical backgrounds (general practitioners and specialists, hospitals, sports associations, clubs for the elderly, municipalities and others), offer a wide range of activities that can be useful in preventing dementia.