International conference on young onset dementia
The research group 'Active neighborhoods and lifestyle interventions' of the Odisee University of Applied Sciences has held the first International Conference on Young Onset Dementia on 18 & 19 September 2024 at Odisee Campus Brussels.
We hope that it was an inspiring meeting, in which we aimed to bridge the gap between researchers, professionals, caregivers and practitioners involved and interested in young onset dementia.
We hope this conference offered you a unique opportunity to share knowledge, current research and projects, to exchange experiences and to work together towards better care for people with young onset dementia and their carers.
Dr. Julie Vanderlinden, Research Lead YOUNG-D, Coordinator of the Research group Active neighbourhoods and lifestyle interventions
The conference was a success. During the congress, several (inter)national experts spoke and many new connections were made between researchers. This international conference is certainly important, says researcher Julie Vanderlinden: ‘Research shows that people with young onset dementia often experience symptoms differently from people with dementia. In particular, persons with young onset dementia struggle with sleep problems, increased anxiety and stress. Current dementia care in Europe is not yet tailored to this and now relies mainly on drug-based treatments.’
Together with partners from Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark, Odisee University College led a study on alternative avenues to address care needs in young onset dementia. The YOUNG-D team brought this knowledge together in a free online course, which was officially presented at the conference. ‘We provide exercises that include breathing techniques, mindfulness and playful methods to make difficult topics discussable,’ says Vanderlinden.
YOUNG-D: e-course
Non-pharmacological interventions for anxiety, stress and sleep problems in Young Onset Dementia (YOUNG-D).
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