On September 23, 2026, an interdisciplinary educational and awareness-raising event was held at City Clinical Hospital No. 1 in Almaty as part of the Alzheimer\u2019s disease and dementia awareness month.<\/p>\n
The meeting brought together neurologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, lawyers, rehabilitation specialists, linguists, representatives of primary health care, the academic community, public organizations, and relatives of people living with dementia.
\nThe event was organized by the Department of Nervous Diseases of S.D. Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University with the support of City Clinical Hospital No. 1, City Clinical Hospital No. 7, the Kazakhstan Alliance for Alzheimer\u2019s Disease and Dementia (KA&DA), the Association of Neurologists of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Almaty City Department of Public Health.<\/p>\n
\u00a0From Early Detection to Comprehensive Care<\/strong><\/p>\n The event was opened by Sultan Zhanbyrbayev, Master of Medical Sciences, Deputy Director for Medical Affairs at City Clinical Hospital No. 1 in Almaty. Language and Culture in Diagnosis<\/strong><\/p>\n Particular attention was paid to adapting neuropsychological tools to the linguistic and cultural environment of Kazakhstan. Psychiatric, Social, and Legal Support<\/strong><\/p>\n Lyudmila Bespalova, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor at the Department of Psychiatry and Narcology named after G.I. Zaltsman at S.D. Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, spoke about the role of psychiatrists in managing patients with dementia, issues of legal capacity, and protecting patients\u2019 rights. Non-Pharmacological Methods and Digital Technologies<\/strong><\/p>\n Practical experience in applying Dual-Tasking for cognitive impairment, as well as opportunities for social adaptation and maintaining activity, was presented by Akerke Amangeldy , founder and head of the Jasaru Active Longevity Center. \u201cDementia: What Can We Change in Kazakhstan?\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n The central part of the program was the panel discussion \u201cDementia: What Can We Change in Kazakhstan?\u201d Participants discussed the development of early detection of cognitive impairment, patient pathways, access to medical and social care, support for families and caregivers, as well as the need to further develop an interdisciplinary model of care.
\nWelcoming remarks were delivered by Saule Turuspekova, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Head of the Department of Nervous Diseases at S.D. Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Chief Freelance Neurologist of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Chris Lynch, Acting CEO and Director of Policy, Research, Communications & Publications, Alzheimer\u2019s Disease International (ADI).
\nAs part of the scientific and educational program, specialists discussed early signs of cognitive impairment, the diagnosis and treatment of dementia, behavioral and psychological symptoms, patient pathways, family support, and modern approaches to care.
\nNurmukhamed Mamashayev, Assistant Professor at the Department of Nervous Diseases of S.D. Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University and neurologist at City Clinical Hospital No. 7, presented on the early detection of dementia and the first signs of cognitive impairment.
\nElmira Atantaeva, Candidate of Medical Sciences, Professor at the Department of Nervous Diseases of S.D. Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, spoke about behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, including anxiety, apathy, sleep disturbances, and psychotic symptoms.
\nRadmila Tsoy, MPH, PhD, Associate Professor at the Department of Nervous Diseases \u00a0of S.D. Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, neurologist at City Clinical Hospital No. 7, and representative of KA&DA, presented modern approaches to the treatment and organization of care for people with dementia, including non-pharmacological interventions and family support.<\/p>\n
\nMadina Abaeva, Candidate of Philological Sciences, Head of the Psycholinguistics Department at the A. Baitursynuly Institute of Linguistics, and Aliya Nazarova, Master of Humanities, Research Fellow at the Department of Psycholinguistics, presented issues related to the linguistic adaptation of international neuropsychological tests into the Kazakh language.<\/p>\n
\nMarzhan Assanova, neurologist of the highest category at City Polyclinic No. 5, presented the patient pathway for people with dementia in Kazakhstan \u2014 from initial consultation and diagnosis to treatment, rehabilitation, and social support.
\nAliya Smagulova and Galiya Kadrzhanova, Senior Lecturers at the Department of Psychiatry and Narcology of the Kazakhstan-Russian Medical University discussed questions of psychological support for relatives and caregivers.
\nLidiya Bogatyreva, Head of the Department of Medical Law at S.D. Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, lawyer in the Claims and Litigation Department, Doctor of Administrative Law and Administrative Procedure, presented the legal aspects of protecting the personal and property rights of people with dementia, financial security, and fraud prevention.<\/p>\n
\nDinara Nurlankyzy, second-year resident at the Department of Nervous Diseases of S.D. Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University and representative of the innovative RubaroMusicTech project, spoke about the prospects of digitalization in dementia care, telemedicine, cognitive monitoring, and artificial intelligence.
\nInternational Cooperation<\/em><\/strong>
\nAn important part of the event was the participation of Alzheimer\u2019s Disease International (ADI). Chris Lynch\u2019s presentation highlighted the importance of international professional cooperation in the areas of early detection, prevention, and comprehensive support for people living with dementia and their families.<\/p>\n
\nAt the conclusion of the event, KA&DA presented \u201c5 Proposals for Developing Support for People with Dementia in Kazakhstan,\u201d focusing on early detection, patient pathways, medical and social care, family support, and the development of a comprehensive dementia care system.
\n\u201cDementia affects not only the patient. It affects the entire family and requires the involvement of doctors, psychologists, social workers, lawyers, rehabilitation specialists, and society as a whole. Our task is to ensure that people and their families are not left alone with the disease,\u201d noted Radmila Tsoy, Associate Professor at S.D. Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, neurologist, and representative of KA&DA.
\nThe event provided a platform for professional dialogue and for bringing together the efforts of specialists from different fields. Participants emphasized the need to further develop early detection of cognitive impairment, a clear patient pathway, accessible medical and social care, and systematic support for families.
\nThe Department of Nervous Diseases of S.D. Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, together with its partners and KA&DA, will continue its work to raise awareness of Alzheimer\u2019s disease and other forms of dementia, support families, and develop a modern system of care for people with dementia in Kazakhstan.<\/p>\n\n\t\t