Alejandro Marichal: “Caring for those who care is also part of the response that the administration must give to families living with Alzheimer's.”
Dimas Sarmiento: “The participation of more than fifty people demonstrates the interest in having spaces in which to talk openly about Alzheimer's and, especially, about what it means to care for someone for months or years.”
More than fifty people participated this Monday in the "The Loneliness of the Caregiver" conference, organized by the Department for the Elderly of the San Bartolomé de Tirajana City Council on the occasion of World Alzheimer's Day, at the Sociocultural Center for the Elderly of San Fernando de Maspalomas.
The event brought together family members, caregivers, and the general public to discuss a reality that often remains private: the impact of Alzheimer's disease not only on the person living with the illness, but also on those who provide daily care and support. The day combined information about Alzheimer's with tools for coping with emotional overload, isolation, and the need for self-care among those who provide ongoing care for family members or close friends.
The First Deputy Mayor, Alejandro Marichal , emphasized the importance of addressing Alzheimer's from a perspective that also includes families. “Caring for the caregivers is also part of the response that the administration must provide to families living with Alzheimer's. We need to provide them with information, support, and resources that will help them cope with a reality that transforms their daily lives ,” he stated.
Marichal emphasized that these meetings complement the work carried out by the Department for the Elderly and Social Services to strengthen care for the elderly, dependent people and their families, also focusing on the well-being of those who take on caregiving tasks.
The first presentation was given by Dr. Javier Alonso , a specialist in Geriatrics and president of the Canary Islands Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology, who addressed the topic "Could it happen to me? Biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease ." During his presentation, he provided attendees with the key concepts for understanding what biomarkers associated with Alzheimer's are and the growing importance of these markers in advancing our knowledge of the disease.
Dr. Domingo Quintana , PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of La Laguna and a specialist in Clinical Neuropsychology, then focused his presentation on "The Loneliness of the Caregiver ." His talk addressed the burden that caregivers can accumulate over long periods and the isolation that sometimes develops silently when a large part of daily life revolves around the needs of another person.
Quintana also addressed the importance of recognizing this strain and having tools and support networks that allow caregivers to also attend to their own needs.
The third intervention, “Does meditation help me during my caregiving duties?” , was given by instructor and therapist Santos Martín , who introduced participants to meditation and mindfulness as tools that can contribute to self-care and better management of the emotional burden associated with caregiving.
The Councillor for Social Services and Senior Citizens, Dimas Sarmiento , particularly valued the opportunity to bring together specialized knowledge and experiences directly related to the daily lives of families in a single day. “We wanted caregivers to receive information and tools, and to have spaces where they could share their concerns and feel supported. When someone dedicates a significant part of their life to caring for another person, they also need us to look out for them, to listen to how they are doing, and to remind them that their well-being matters ,” Sarmiento stated.
The councilor also highlighted that “the participation of more than fifty people demonstrates the interest that exists in having spaces in which to talk openly about Alzheimer's and, especially, about what it means to care for someone for months or years . ”
Following the presentations, a question and answer session was held, allowing attendees to share their concerns with the specialists and exchange experiences related to caregiving. The day concluded with a musical performance by Víctor Batista and Ernesto Medina and a healthy snack, providing a final opportunity for interaction between participants and professionals.
The "Caregiver's Loneliness" workshops continue the series of meetings that the Department for Senior Citizens has been organizing since 2023 to provide information about Alzheimer's and other dementias, support families, and raise awareness of the needs of caregivers. The event was held in collaboration with Clece Mayores.
