Improving Your Knowledge on Dementia

The Landshut municipal library is hosting the "Hands-on Dementia" event on November 26th and 27th, offering an opportunity for individuals to empathise with those affected by dementia in everyday situations. This event is open to all interested parties and is part of the "Hands-on Dementia" dementia trail, which was one of eight trails set up by the Bavarian State Ministry of Health and Care as part of the first Bavarian Dementia Week in 2019.

During the event, participants will be guided through a simulated experience designed to replicate the limitations and feelings of helplessness experienced by individuals living with dementia. The aim is to foster a deeper understanding of those affected by this condition, which is becoming increasingly prevalent in Bavaria.

By 2030, it is expected that around 300,000 people in Bavaria will be affected by dementia, and by 2040, this number is expected to reach around 380,000. According to the "Niederbayern Dementia and Care Specialist Office", around 270,000 people aged over 65 in Bavaria are currently affected by dementia, with about three quarters being cared for at home.

The "Hands-on Dementia" dementia station at the community library event on November 26 and 27 is led by Margarete Oberländer. Library staff will guide participants through the dementia trail, providing valuable insights into the challenges faced by those living with dementia.

The event takes place in the lecture hall of the Salzstadel, and the municipal library has an extensive media offering in the field of geriatric care and dementia. The library aims to raise awareness and provide information about dementia through the event, while also offering a chance for participants to meet people with dementia with empathy, which is helpful and relieving in challenging situations.

Meeting people with dementia with empathy is not a therapeutic or diagnostic procedure for suspected illness, but it is a valuable step towards understanding and supporting those affected by this condition. The "Hands-on Dementia" event at the Landshut municipal library is a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of dementia and to empathise with those affected by it.