It is a cherished planting event organized every spring by the Gerontopsychiatric Network with a focus on dementia in the Saarpfalz district, under the leadership of Horst Schneider, chairman of the Gerontopsychiatric Network Dementia Saarpfalz district and managing director of Psychosocial Projects gGmbH.
The forget-me-not, with its symbolism – representing loyalty, love, and connection – is intended as a popular garden flower to permanently draw attention to the topic of dementia and the special needs of people affected by dementia. County Commissioner Dr. Theophil Gallo, Homburg’s Mayor Michael Forster, Andreas Sauder, Head of the State Dementia Office, as well as representatives from member organizations of the network, were once again happy to participate in this campaign.
In his welcome address, Horst Schneider highlighted the very effective work of the network, which organizes numerous events to implement a dementia-friendly Saarland at the regional level. "The topic of dementia has reached the public. More and more people want to know where they can get help. We can partly offer this ourselves or refer them on," said the chairman.
District Administrator Dr. Theophil Gallo is grateful for the good cooperation of the network and its public relations work: “Dementia is a progressive disease that in its early stages may not be recognized as such. In an advanced state, it requires a lot of support and assistance for those affected by dementia and their caregiving relatives. Those affected are not left alone. This wonderful planting campaign also serves as a reminder of that.”
The mayor of Homburg also finds the right words: "I am glad that in the city of Homburg we have the psychosocial projects with the base and the dementia network to support those affected. As a city, we are very happy to participate in this, as is the district. I am also pleased about this traditional planting action with the symbolic forget-me-nots, because these plants are visible all year round and help to bring the important topic of dementia into the public eye. Many thanks for the commitment of Horst Schneider and all the partners involved in the dementia network in the Saarpfalz district."
The planting of the bed was supervised, as in previous years, by the city master gardener Stephan Landwehr from the Department of Environment and Green Spaces together with the trainees of the municipal building yard.
The gerontopsychiatric dementia network in the Saarpfalz district, with more than 50 cooperation partners, is pleased when the forget-me-not flowers reach as many people as possible
Delighting people and symbolically promoting understanding and consideration for people with dementia.
This year, the network is also planning various activities. Currently, a lecture on the topic of grief ("Learning to live in grief") by the speaker Kerstin Fleischer from the Hospice and Grief Counseling Service in the Diocese of Speyer is scheduled for July 3rd at the St. Ingbert Hospital. In addition, a Memory Walk will take place this year in Homburg as well as in St. Ingbert. All events always enjoy a good response.
Interested parties are welcome to contact the network’s work, as well as with any concerns regarding dementia, at any time with their questions at: Gerontopsychiatric Network with a focus on Dementia in the Saarpfalz district, c/o Psychosocial Projects gGmbH, Goethestr. 2, Homburg, Tel. (06841) 93 43-0.
