Active and Healthy Aging for Persons with Mental Health and Neurodevelopmental Challenges
Our Greek colleagues from EPIONI successfully organised the two-day event “Active and healthy ageing for people with mental health problems or neurodevelopmental difficulties”. The first part of the event took place on 12.12.2023, at the Metropolitan College, at 42 Akadimias Street in the center of Athens, while the second part took place on 13.12.2023 at the new premises of the Association Ermis in the Municipality of Argyroupolis – Elliniko.
The two-day event was also broadcasted online, hosting a panel of distinguished speakers.
On the first day, Professor George Christodoulou presented the concept of healthy aging, Professor Emeritus Dusica Lecic-Tosevski, member of the Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts, analyzed extensively the topic “Aging and mental health” while Dr. Liz Mestheneos spoke about the value of the online platform www.careplatform.gr.
Ms. Marta Arroyo Balbás presented good practices in supporting adults with autism at the Fundación Mirandas and the new European project AHA4Autism. Professor at the University of Calabria Ms. Antonella Valenti, spoke about autism in adult life.
Psychiatrist George Tzeferakos, spoke about the assessment of legal capacity in clinical practice. Mr Dimitrios Kontis, psychiatrist, presented the topic “Healthy ageing for people living with mental health problems and autism”. Finally, the social worker Mr. Dimitris Theodoropoulos, Director of the NGO “Frodizo” spoke about “Reminiscence therapy” in elderly people and people with dementia.
On the second day (13.12.2023), on behalf of the Association Ermis, Mrs. Irini Kapeloni, communication manager, addressed a greeting. Psychiatrist Evangelos Pappas spoke on the topic “Well-being and quality of life for people with mental health problems and neurodevelopmental challenges and their caregivers, promoting resilience, supporting recovery and lifestyle changes”. Psychiatrist Ms. Stella Stathoulopoulou referred to empowering caregivers and cultivating mental well-being and, among other speakers, Elif Caliskan, MSc Clinical Psychologist, Izmir Tınaztepe University, detailed the psychological management of pain in adults with autism.
Mr. Nikolaos Gouvas, Scientific Director of the Association Ermis, referred to new technologies in mental health.
Finally, the Managing Director of Eurocarers, Mr. Stecy Yghemonos, referred to the latest developments of interest to informal carers in relation to active and healthy ageing at European level.
