Last weekend, the youth movement of the Alzheimer’s League Flanders organised a very long weekend for young people whose parents suffer from early-onset dementia. It all went on in Houtholst. The camp, which is aimed at young people who have a parent suffering from early-onset dementia, offers a unique combination of support, understanding and relaxation. This is the fourth time that this special weekend has been organised. The youth work of the Alzheimer’s League Vlaanderen focuses on young people of school age and their parents who do not suffer from dementia. During the weekend, young people have the opportunity to share their experiences and feelings in various sessions led by staff and volunteers of the Alzheimer’s League Vlaanderen.
In addition to these valuable exchange moments, there was also plenty of room for relaxation and fun. One of the highlights of the weekend was a boat trip with various game activities. The weekend location, with the horses, provided a comfortable environment that helped participants relax.
“I will definitely be back next year, the pony ride was even more fun,” says the youngest participant, Elizabeth (7 years old), enthusiastically.
Tine Kenens, an employee of the Alzheimer Liga Vlaanderen, emphasizes the importance of youth work: “Regardless of the different ages of the young people, there is a bond between everyone because of the situation in their families. It is a weekend full of laughter and tears.
For Charlotte, 12, who is attending the camp for the first time, it is a special experience: “I find it interesting to hear other people’s stories.” Her groupmate Elke adds: “Hearing these stories gives you the feeling that you are not alone. It is nice to get to know our injured comrades.”
The weekend provides support not only for the young people, but also for the parents. Luke, whose wife suffers from early-onset dementia and who has been participating in the camp for several years, emphasizes the importance of youth work: “For me, youth work is very important. It helps us to be stronger together.”
Throughout the year, the Alzheimer’s Association Flanders organizes various activities for youth work. In November, the group will come together again for the escape game, an activity that will once again provide contact and relaxation.
However, the pampering weekend remains the highlight, the moment when young people who are going through the same thing form a special bond and can escape from everyday reality for a while.
Initiatives like this are very important and will become even more important in the future. Currently, more than 145,000 Flemish people suffer from dementia. More than seventy percent of this group still live at home, which means that many people in their environment are affected. We need to adapt our culture and leisure activities even more to this new, growing group and their environment.
Every Flemish person has a 1 in 5 chance of developing the disease. The World Health Organization ranks the disease as the greatest health challenge of our time. Especially now that other diseases (such as cancer and HIV) are increasingly treatable and are developing into chronic conditions with (thankfully) increasingly low mortality rates. Photo © Lorenzo Becher
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