Network office Local alliances for people with dementia

Netzwerkstelle Lokale Allianzen für Menschen mit Demenz

The network office supports local dementia networks, which are committed to people with dementia and their relatives, with the exchange of experience, expert impetus and the transfer of know-how. To support the important work of local dementia networks and the formation of new networks, the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth has funded 500 local support networks nationwide in the federal pilot programme ""Local Alliances for People with Dementia"" from 2012 to 2018. They provide orientation in the search for existing local offers, bring actors to the table, coordinate their offers and develop new offers as needed. They offer training for relatives and volunteers, and provide information and advice to make life with dementia easier. In 2020, the federal programme was relaunched as part of the National Dementia Strategy. Until 2026, further Local Alliances are to be established in a total of five funding waves. The network office supports the funded Local Alliances as well as other local dementia networks in their (further) development. It is located at BAGSO - Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft der Seniorenorganisationen and is funded by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth. The offers of the network office include: 1) Regional and nationwide conferences, networking meetings and workshops for local dementia networks offer the opportunity to establish contacts, to exchange experiences related to the topic and to receive new professional impulses. 2) Professional support and advice to the projects funded under the new federal programme during the application and funding phase. 3) Examples of good practice, helpful materials and links on the topics of dementia and local networking on its website. 4) Regular newsletter with information about events, publications and interesting facts on the topic of dementia. This measure contributes to protecting the rights of older persons with dementia and their relatives. The federal programme supports local networks who offer help and advice to people with dementia and their relatives. The network office shares good examples, e.g. home visits to evaluate which kind of care and support is needed, public awareness raising campaigns or activities to ensure the inclusion of people with dementia in cultural programmes – all of which contribute to mitigating the impact of dementia and related vulnerabilities.