The first encounter of the "Free from Fear" series, dedicated to the early symptoms and diagnosis of dementia, took place on Thursday, 24 October. The event offered tools and resources to recognise the early signs of the disease and facilitate access to early support and diagnosis.
The video "Catching the Signs: The Keys," which features real stories from family caregivers of individuals with dementia in Southern Switzerland, premiered during the evening. The caregivers shared significant experiences and moments, offering an authentic insight into their lives. The research group, led by Maddalena Fiordelli and including Anna Messina , Anna Maria Annoni , and Rebecca Amati , created the concept for the video, which was produced by video maker Milly Miljkovic and featured audio editing by Ambra Guidotti.
The video served as the starting point for a discussion on the evening’s central theme, which was enriched by contributions from experts and firsthand witnesses from the world of dementia. The event commenced with welcoming remarks from Giovanni Pedrazzini , Head of the Cardiology Service at the Cardiocentro Institute (EOC) and Dean of the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences at USI. Following his introduction, Prof. Emiliano Albanese , Director of the Institute of Public Health at USI, provided insights into the prevalence of dementia worldwide, as well as specific statistics for Switzerland and Ticino. Dr. William Pertoldi , a geriatrics specialist at Clinica Luganese Moncucco, contributed a clinical perspective on the subject. Additionally, Bettina Fontana Jopiti , a family caregiver and testimonial for iSupport Swiss, shared a heartfelt personal testimony about her experiences. The encounter was moderated by Giancarlo Dillena , journalist and lecturer at USI, who facilitated a participative dialogue between the audience and the speakers.
The next meeting in the series, "Free from Fear: Asking for Help", will be held on 5 December at 5:30 pm in the East Campus Lugano Aula polivalente, Via la Santa 1, Viganello. It will be an opportunity to explore the different forms of support offered in the area.
The project Liberi dalle paure (Free from Fear) is being implemented by the Institute of Public Health (IPH) of Universitą della Svizzera italiana, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Social Affairs of the Canton of Ticino (DSS), Pro Senectute Ticino and Moesano, Alzheimer Ticino, Cittą di Lugano, Lugano Istituti Sociali (LIS), Associazione Ticinese degli Psicologi (ATP) and the Swiss Red Cross Sottoceneri Branch, and financed by the Swiss National Science Foundation.
The video "Catching the signals: The keys" can be viewed on this page or at the following.
The recording of the first encounter in the "Free from Fears" series is available at the following.
The flyer of the next event on 5 December is available at the following.
For more information on the "Free from Fear" project: https://www.iph.usi.ch/it/ricerca/progetti/liberi-dalle-paure-il-ciclo-di-eventi-dedicato-alla-demenza
Free from fears: online the first video dedicated to dementia diagnosis, ’Catching the signs: The keys’
Advert
