Nearly 800,000 people are currently affected by Alzheimer’s disease in France. Despite the progress made, more than half of the patients are still not diagnosed, and 2/3 are not treated. Considering the increased lifespan, the number of patients affected by this condition will have doubled by 2020, and every family will be impacted.
These statistical data are alarming enough to mobilize all energies and make patient care a public health priority.
In this regard, the city of Nice, through its Health Department, organized a recreational afternoon at Parc Phoenix for patients, their loved ones, and healthcare personnel. The program included a text and photo exhibition of the visits conducted and a concert by the Nice Opera Choir, which had already worked with patient groups earlier in the year. A convivial snack punctuated this lovely afternoon under the greenhouse’s glass dome at Parc Phoenix.
It was also an opportunity to celebrate the 5th anniversary and 3,000 visitors of the CALMANยฎ program (Culture Arts and Leisure for People with Alzheimer’s Disease in Nice).
This moment of exchange and fellowship brought together residents and users of Alzheimer’s day-care centers, EHPAD with a special Alzheimer’s unit, memory consultations, as well as the families and caregivers of patients.
This unique program in France is based on opening all municipal museums, the Opera, and the Conservatoire to persons affected by Alzheimer’s disease or related conditions.
These guided visits, tailored, prepared, and conducted each month by cultural and paramedical actors, thus represent a non-medical approach to the disease, promoting exchanges, verbal expression, and socialization by stimulating memory, emotions, and cognition.*
