A Round Table for Relatives of Patients with Dementia Was Held in Almaty

With the support of the Almaty Public Health Department and City Clinical Hospital No. 1, the first round table in Kazakhstan for relatives of patients with dementia was held at City Clinical Hospital No. 1 in Almaty. The Kazakhstan Alzheimer & Dementia Alliance (KA&DA) organized the event. The main goal of the meeting was not only to raise awareness about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, but also to create a supportive environment for families who face the severe emotional, social, and medical consequences of the disease on a daily basis.

The round table was moderated by Radmila Timsonovna Tsoy — neurologist, PhD, Associate Professor of the Department of Nervous Diseases at Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University (KazNMU), and a specialist in cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease.

During the meeting, participants discussed early detection of dementia, communication strategies with patients, emotional burnout among family members, and modern approaches to patient care. Attendees openly shared personal stories, speaking about the feelings of helplessness, fear, and lack of information that families often experience after a diagnosis is made.

Relatives received informational materials and guidelines on communication and caregiving for people living with dementia. Special emphasis was placed on the fact that family support is just as important a component of care as the patient’s medical treatment.

The organizers emphasized that increasing life expectancy and population aging are making dementia one of the most important public health challenges in Kazakhstan. Holding events of this kind is an important step toward reducing stigma, developing family support systems, and fostering a culture of respectful and compassionate attitudes toward people living with dementia.