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Ombudsman Svetina: “Education on dementia may help us move away from stigma and shame!”

“Slovenia is one of those countries with an above-average ageing rate, which is why I cannot ignore the findings of professionals that the share of those who suffer from dementia will probably continue to increase in the future,” said Ombudsman Peter Svetina today on 2 June 2022 at Cankarjev dom in his speech at the International Dementia Conference titled “In the rhythm of the human brain”. He called for a more proactive awareness of the disease, which the World Health Organisation proclaimed the global health priority of the 21st century. “Every one of us must begin with ourselves and in our environments. Only together can we make significant steps on the path of moving away from the shackles of stigma and shame,” he said.

“Because we at the Ombudsman institution are aware just how important it is to spread knowledge on dementia, how very important it is to help the persons who are suffering from this disease, we have accepted the initiative of Spominčica with open arms to become the first dementia-friendly contact point in Slovenia. This has been with us since 2017,” noted Ombudsman Svetina. The contact point is not meant solely for persons with dementia and their loved ones, but also for everyone requiring information about this disease. Staff at the Ombudsman institution and other dementia-friendly contact points in the country have the necessary know-how, and know what the first signs of the disease are and how to recognise them.

The Ombudsman expects that parts of the Mental Health Act, which are seen as unconstitutional, are finally removed. He notes that mental health is the basis for the quality of life. “This is why the protection, the strengthening, and the prevention of the occurrence of mental issues is very important. More so, because persons with mental health problems are often marginalised in society,” he added, and particularly emphasised the importance of attending to the rights of the elderly who are no longer able to do it themselves.

The National Preventive Mechanism, which is part of the Ombudsman institution, plays a very important role in the protection of the rights of the elderly. For 15 years, it has been visiting places where persons with mental health problems are being retained for their own safety, i.e. the elderly who, due to dementia and sometimes even other concomitant diseases, are living in secure departments of social welfare institutions. With their visits, and especially recommendations for removing irregularities, and improving the situation, they try to ensure that the elderly have all the necessary means to exercise their rights, that they are given the best possible care, and that they are living in appropriate living conditions. “Even in this area, the Ombudsman has been successfully cooperating with Spominčica, and has therefore helped the disease-stricken elderly live their autumn years in as high a quality as possible,” noted Ombudsman Peter Svetina.

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