This week saw the conclusion of the EU Erasmus+ project YOMI in Istanbul. Teams and organisations from Turkey, Hungary, Spain, Slovenia, Ireland and Germany came together to present the results achieved in the project. The project aimed to raise awareness of Alzheimer's and dementia among both the general public and rescue organisations. A particular focus was on training in dealing with those affected and their families in order to be able to react appropriately in an emergency.
Various measures were developed over the course of the project, including training videos and the development of an app to serve as a training platform for relatives. The technical component was also dealt with intensively, including visits to the Max Planck Institute to deepen medical knowledge.
After the devastating earthquake in Turkey, the importance of the project became even clearer. Around 5,000 Alzheimer's and dementia patients were housed in tents and containers after the quake. The difficult circumstances made it clear how necessary specialised care is for this vulnerable group, especially in emergency situations.
ISAR Germany made a decisive contribution to the success of the project by contributing its expertise in the field of earthquake rescue. Its experience with rescue dogs, localisation technology and the use of drones helped to develop concepts on how dementia patients can be found and cared for more quickly and effectively in the event of a disaster.
The results of the project will now serve as a guide for emergency services and relatives and help to improve the way Alzheimer's and dementia patients are treated - not only in everyday life, but also in crisis situations.