Alzheimer : also a priority for Saint-Martin

"A new Alzheimer's case is diagnosed every 4 seconds in the world" somberly stated François Le Maistre, president of the Association France-Alzheimer-Guadeloupe speaking of a "global public health crisis" at the conference dedicated to Alzheimer's disease and related diseases. The Collectivité and its partners were hosting this annual event on April 13^th at the CCI, under the aegis of Ramona Connor, vice president in charge of social affairs.

"Let’s stand up to Alzheimer's disease" was the theme of this second edition. Several speakers took the stand before an audience of about fifty people, mostly women, including some elected politicians and officials. The president of the Association France-Alzheimer-Guadeloupe created to support family caregivers, recounted several anecdotes in order to identify practical advice, combined with alarming figures. We learned that the caretakers of an Alzheimer's patient (spouse, children...) often neglect their own health and one in two caregivers dies before the patient.

Dr. Lazarus Noubou, psycho-geriatrician specialized in Alzheimer's and consultant to the EPAD of St. Martin, also spoke at the conference.  His presentation aimed to explain when to worry about memory loss and describe the various support systems. According to him, 80% of residents in nursing homes and 70% of seniors suffer from Alzheimer's or a related disease. "This is a serious problem, a problem for the future. There are many cases in St. Martin. Attending physicians should be made aware of early memory loss, and patients should insist on being diagnosed" he concluded before stating: "Action is now! We can no longer afford to wait."

A MAIA TO OPEN SOON IN THE NORTHERN ISLANDS

At the beginning of the conference, Pascal Godefroy, the regional representative of the ARS in St. Martin and St. Barthélemy, confirmed that a call for applications has been sent to two hospitals, EPAD and the Collectivités of Saint Martin and Saint Barthelemy early April for the creation of a Maia in the Northern islands: "An organizational process that would be implemented by a structure and benefit both islands to ensure better casefile monitoring." A Maia (House promoting the Autonomy and Integration of Alzheimer patients) combines all stakeholders engaged in supporting people over 60 who live with autonomy loss and their caregivers through an innovative approach: integration of support services and care.

He also spoke of plans to build a medical-social center, awaiting operating funds from the CNSA to move forward, "which should not take much longer." This project is a response to catch up, as the action toward the elderly and disabled was delayed in the territory. Ramona Connor then specified that of the 72 spaces created for the care of the elderly, 20 will be dedicated to Alzheimer patients.