Losheim am See – At the entrance area of the Globus market in Losheim am See, two large panels currently welcome people from the lake community and the region. The exhibition is organized in collaboration with the State Dementia Office, the care support center of the Merzig-Wadern district, the association Losheim lebt gesund e.V., as well as IKK Südwest, PuGiS e.V., and KISS – Contact and Information Center for Self-Help in Saarland. The core theme of the exhibition is the questions of how affected individuals and relatives can cope with the diagnosis "dementia," what lies behind this disease, and what support services are available.
On all days of the event, there are information offers and activities from various cooperation partners and local actors. The exhibition format was designed in 2018 by the State Dementia Center. Since then, the information panels have been traveling to different cities and municipalities in Saarland. Lisa-Maria Pfeffler, the senior citizens' representative of the municipality of Losheim am See, has now brought the traveling exhibition to Losheim am See for two weeks together with the State Dementia Center and organized a program around the event. The exhibition was officially opened on January 9, 2022, by Mayor Helmut Harth.
"There are approximately 23,600 affected people in Saarland. Around 80 percent of people with dementia are cared for at home here, which is above the national average. This means that a total of almost 50,000 people are directly and indirectly affected by the disease," explained Andreas Sauder, Head of the State Dementia Office, to the guests at the exhibition opening, among them Mayor Helmut Harth and, among others, Professor Dr. Jörg Loth, Chairman of the Board of IKK Südwest. "When the diagnosis of dementia is made, those affected and their social environment always ask: What happens now? Where can we get help? Is there anything we can do at all? Our exhibition format in public places is intended to raise awareness in society about the topic and reduce prejudices by allowing people to come into contact with this disease and its diverse consequences in a non-binding setting."
„Our municipality has made prevention and health promotion for all residents of Losheim a priority through the pilot project ‘Losheim lives healthy.’ In November, a nonprofit association of the same name was founded with already 50 active members, who will work in close coordination with the municipal administration to specifically promote health in Losheim am See. This also includes the component ‘Aging Healthily.’ Dementia-related diseases often occur with advancing age and manifest in very different ways. However, all forms have in common that they pose significant challenges and burdens for those affected, their families, and friends. Therefore, it is important to provide information about this illness as well as offer counseling services and support. I am pleased that, together with the State Dementia Office, we can bring attention to this topic in our lake community through this traveling exhibition. I would also like to thank Globus Losheim, who kindly provided an exhibition space free of charge at the entrance area of the market.”
The exhibition runs until January 21st. In the mornings, there are daily changing information offerings from the cooperation partners. There is also a raffle where smaller prizes are awarded.
