For dignified care, free of fear!

Imagine that you once went through a violent experience. As you get older, bad memories of the event are resurfacing more and more often. You constantly feel agitated and afraid. You would like to share your feelings with somebody, but you are no longer able to talk about what happened. As a result, you feel alone and frustrated, trapped in your own fear. Loved ones and care providers are unsure of how to help you.

A big problem
Unfortunately, this situation is all too common in the Netherlands, particularly in people with dementia. More than 280,000 Dutch people suffer from dementia; of these, at least 8% have severe anxiety (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder). And these numbers are just the beginning—they were published before the corona crisis. The social isolation, lockdown and loss caused by the current pandemic can all exacerbate anxiety.

The solution is near!
Dr Sjacko Sobczak, geriatric psychiatrist at Mondrian and researcher at Maastricht University, is working with experts to develop an innovative tool, named the TRADE-interview, that can be used to diagnose PTSD even among people who can no longer tell their life stories themselves. The team is also investigating how prevalent PTSD really is in people with dementia, how it affects their behaviour, and which treatments help best. Ultimately, this project aims to implement a human centred and innovative treatment of PTSS widely used within regional and national caring facilities. 

To finalise the diagnostic tool and deploy it in our healthcare system, Sjacko urgently needs additional funding. Do not abandon these sufferers—donate now for the sake of dignified care!


"My interest in life stories was confirmed during my medical studies, when I started working in a nursing home. I noticed that some people were seen as ‘difficult’ or ‘burdensome’ because of aggression or because they were constantly calling for help. Now, as a geriatric psychiatrist, I can really do something for them. Will you help too?" —Dr Sjacko Sobczak, Maastricht University School for Mental Health and Neuroscience

sjacko.sobczak@maastrichtuniversity.nl

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