SOS Helpline for Dementia
The Helpline (SOS Line) for Dementia was created in 2002 by “Nestor” Psychogeriatric Association in collaboration with the Hellenic Association of Geriatrics and Gerontology and it operated until 2021.
Purpose:
The purpose was to provide useful counselling and psychological support to caregivers of patients with dementia and Alzheimer, especially towards managing severe incidents. The Healthcare Professional was available at any time to provide information on the illness, the services on offer and practical advice in dealing with severe situations.
Aim:
The aim of the SOS helpline, apart from information to provide relief and decompression to the caregivers of dementia patients, because proper help towards the patient requires the psychological well-being of both the carer and the patient.
Statistics
More than 2500 calls by caregivers were made yearly, requiring information on dementia and its development, as well as methods of dealing with urgent and difficult situations.
The Helpline (SOS line) would receive on a daily basis about 5 - 6 calls by caregivers and relatives of dementia patients, for immediate counselling and psychological support and to a large extent, information on dementia and Alzheimer.