The Regional Secretary for Health said in Ponta Delgada today that the Azorean Government will support the construction of a private healthcare unit, where 24 beds will be reserved for patients with Alzheimer's Disease. 
 
At the opening of the Conference "Alzheimer's Disease of the century," which celebrates the 5th anniversary of ALZA - Azores Alzheimer's Association, Miguel Correia stressed that the future occupation of that private unit will also be supported by the Regional Government in accordance with the protocols to be established.

The government official considered that nowadays volunteering is perhaps the most powerful driving force of citizenship, turning projects like ALZA into true examples of solidarity and social awareness.

The Secretary for Health pointed out that the support provided by ALZA is of great importance to patients and their families, particularly regarding the provision of meals and other specific assistance, such as sensory and psychomotor stimulation and hydrotherapy, counting on the generous contribution of the volunteer firefighters.

Hence, he mentioned the Regional Government's support to the action developed by that association, ensuring the necessary conditions to provide qualified staff and technicians.

In order to control and reduce the impact of Alzheimer's disease, which causes pathological aging, being and the third leading cause of death worldwide, Miguel Correia also mentioned the existence of additional support in the Azores, such as home care, through which many health professionals take care of patients and provide training and advice to families and caregivers.

The Regional Secretary also stressed that the response to a more acute phase of the disease lies in the admission to the "Casas de Saúde" on São Miguel and Terceira as well as to elderly homes, including the Home of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Ponta Delgada and the Bom Jesus Clinic.
He also added that these institutions currently shelter about 100 to 120 people with Alzheimer's Disease.

The government official announced that a protocol for 200 beds in the archipelago has been established, which demonstrates that the Azores have achieved or are very close to the international applicable ratios.

With regard to dependent elderly, the Government has increased the number of beds for continuing and geriatric care in recent years.

The Regional Secretary said that in 2012, the Azorean Government intends to consolidate the network of elderly support to effectively respond to the current needs by extending admissions to healthcare centres and promoting private investment in this area.

Furthermore, he asserted that the Regional Government will always support institutions such as ALZA - Azores Alzheimer's Association, whose action in its social and human dimension is, in his view, worthy of praise.

According to the Regional Secretary for Health, it is estimated that there are 90 000 people with Alzheimer's disease in Portugal and with the progressive aging of the population, experts predict a doubling of these figures in Western Europe by 2040.