Meet the plenary panelists at HCIM: Julie Meerveld
Head of the advocacy team of Alzheimer Netherlands
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Making the Netherlands more dementia friendly could be a tough job, but Julie Meerveld is going for it. As a manager at the Dutch Alzheimer’s organization, the organization that represents the interests of people with dementia and their families, Julia is working hard to ensure that people with dementia receive the best support they can get.
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Thousands of volunteers
‘I am head of the advocacy team and I’m also responsible for the support and help that thousands of volunteers across the country provide to people with dementia and their families. Finally, I am responsible for the program to make the Netherlands more dementia friendly.’
Improving health with fun
‘Families of people with dementia in nursing homes find it a problem that people with dementia have so little to do and are sleepy. Therefore, Alzheimer Netherlands emphasizes the importance of personal attention and fun, appropriate activities in nursing homes. This is difficult to improve due to a lack of staff.’
'We have to find ways for people with dementia that fits their preferences and capabilities'
Creativity is key
‘We all know that if we organize activities that are just plain fun, people will decline less rapidly. Because of this, I would especially like to advocate for more like such activities that make the moment worthwhile at HCIM. It requires creativity because there is already a shortage of staff in care and this will increase. But it is important that we find ways for people with dementia to remain socially and physically active. In a way that does not challenge them too much, but also not too little, that fits their preferences and capabilities.’
Julie Meerveld will be one of the plenary panelists at HCIM, you can find more info about the other plenary panelists here.
‘I am head of the advocacy team and I’m also responsible for the support and help that thousands of volunteers across the country provide to people with dementia and their families. Finally, I am responsible for the program to make the Netherlands more dementia friendly.’
Improving health with fun
‘Families of people with dementia in nursing homes find it a problem that people with dementia have so little to do and are sleepy. Therefore, Alzheimer Netherlands emphasizes the importance of personal attention and fun, appropriate activities in nursing homes. This is difficult to improve due to a lack of staff.’
'We have to find ways for people with dementia that fits their preferences and capabilities'
Creativity is key
‘We all know that if we organize activities that are just plain fun, people will decline less rapidly. Because of this, I would especially like to advocate for more like such activities that make the moment worthwhile at HCIM. It requires creativity because there is already a shortage of staff in care and this will increase. But it is important that we find ways for people with dementia to remain socially and physically active. In a way that does not challenge them too much, but also not too little, that fits their preferences and capabilities.’
Julie Meerveld will be one of the plenary panelists at HCIM, you can find more info about the other plenary panelists here.