Balearics offer 78 free Alzheimer day care places

Families in the Balearics have access to 78 free day-care places for people with Alzheimer’s. On World Alzheimer’s Day, Monday 21 September, the Balearic Government said it was reshaping support around each person’s stage of the illness while offering help to relatives and carers.

The Department of Families, Social Welfare and Dependency Care says its approach looks beyond the diagnosis, taking account of what a person can still do, their independence, routines and life story. The Foundation for Care and Support for Dependent People currently works with around 30 people with Alzheimer’s at the Can Blai and Sa Serra centres.

Individual plans include activities to stimulate thinking, the senses and everyday abilities. Staff also adapt spaces to improve safety and help people find their way around. When behavioural changes arise, they first look for the needs behind them and prioritise non-drug support.

Free places and support for carers

Since 1 December 2023, the 78 places at the Llar de la Memòria and Més Vida day centres have been part of the public dependency-care network and cost families nothing. The four-year investment is just over €3.8 million.

A further 30 contracted places are available at the Mente day centre through IMAS, worth almost €900,000. Day centres allow people with Alzheimer’s to remain in their usual surroundings while receiving specialist care during the day.

Afama Pollença has received more than €224,000 for projects including a family support point, care programmes, transport for activities and technology upgrades. Afaef, which works on Eivissa and Formentera, has been awarded more than €111,000 for care, transport and programmes for family carers.

The department has also added €150,000 to grants for non-profit groups working on care, prevention and personal independence projects between 2026 and 2028.

Son Espases brings in early brain scans

Since May, the University Hospital Son Espases has used an amyloid PET-CT brain scan in the Balearic public health system to detect Alzheimer’s early. The non-invasive scan can identify deposits of the beta-amyloid protein in the brain.

It can confirm or rule out Alzheimer’s at a very early stage, when symptoms are still mild, allowing earlier and more tailored treatment.

Topics: Social affairs · Health · Pollença

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com