The 34th Alzheimer Europe Conference (#34AEC) “New Horizons – Innovating for Dementia” commenced on 8 October 2024 at the Centre International de Conférences Genève (CICG). The event saw over 960 delegates from 42 countries in attendance, with over 400 presenters sharing the latest advancements in dementia research, care, and policy. 

Opening Ceremony 

Stefanie Becker (Alzheimer Switzerland) and Jean Georges (Alzheimer Europe) extended a warm welcome to attendees, highlighting the importance of innovation in treatments, societal inclusion, and advocacy for those who may not be eligible for new therapies. Swiss officials, along with INTERDEM Chair Marjolein de Vugt, emphasised the significance of collaboration—both psychosocial and biomedical—and the importance of making small steps to improve the lives of individuals living with dementia and their carers. 

Plenary Session 1: Life with Dementia, Relationships, and Independence 

Chaired by Jean Georges, the first plenary session centred on life with dementia, relationships, and independence. Speakers shared personal stories of resilience and support, challenging the common perception that a dementia diagnosis marks the end of life. Key moments included: 

  • Paddy Crosbie [1] discussing adapting to young-onset Alzheimer’s. 
  • Shelagh Robinson [2 ] on the quality of relationships and the need for self-kindness. 
  • Lilo Klotz [3] on acceptance and the value of ordinary days, sharing her initial reaction to her diagnosis: “This can’t be, not me”, and how it took her several years to accept the changes and losses she experienced, ultimately concluding that “an ordinary day is the greatest blessing”. 

A video titled “I may have Alzheimer’s disease, but it doesn’t have me,” underscored the importance of timely diagnosis and maintaining hope. The video featured Chris Roberts, a member and former Chairperson of the EWGPWD, emphasising that he is not defined by the disease and highlighting the significance of early detection. The video can be viewed here: 

Key Themes from Other Plenary Sessions 

  • People Living with Dementia: Personal narratives were shared, including that of Kevin Quaid, Chairperson of the EWGPWD, who spoke about the transformative impact of hearing aids.
  • Minority and Vulnerable Groups: Sessions addressed the unique challenges encountered by ethnic minorities and other vulnerable groups in Switzerland, with a focus on promoting inclusion and delivering tailored care.  
  • AI and Risk Reduction: The LETHE project demonstrated the potential of AI in creating personalised strategies for dementia prevention and risk reduction. 
  • Psychosocial Interventions: Short presentations showcased innovative social and behavioural interventions designed to enhance quality of life. 
  • Empowerment Interventions: The SPAN+ project from the Netherlands presented their work on developing interventions tailored to individuals in both home and care settings. 

The first day concluded with a networking reception featuring traditional Swiss music, including yodelling and alphorn performances. 

Further Presentations 

  • Katrin Seeher [4 ] discussed the key achievements of the WHO’s Global Action Plan on Dementia. 
  • Alex Gobey [5] presented the National Dementia Strategy for the Maltese Islands 2024 – 2031, titled ‘Reaching New Heights’. 
  • Giovanni Frisoni [6] spoke about the Swiss Brain Health Plan. 
  • Tobias Nef [7] discussed “Digital Biomarkers to support dementia patients and their caregivers”. 
  • Esther Loseto-Gerritzen [8] explored online peer support for people with Young Onset Dementia. 
  • Aisling Flynn [9] focused on virtual reality as a tool for promoting social connectedness for people living with dementia and their supporters. 
  • Lizzy Boots [10] presented the “From research and development to implementation – the Evaluation in Life Cycle of Information Technology (ELICIT) framework”. 

Plenary Session 4: Intersectionality 

Plenary four, chaired by Maria do Rosário Zincke dos Reis (Portugal), opened the third day with presentations on intersectionality. The session began with a video about dementia researcher Golnaz Atefi, who skated 1,026 km during World Alzheimer’s Month as part of the “Rolling for Dementia” campaign, setting a Guinness World Record. The video can be viewed here: 

  • Antonella Santuccione Chadha [11] emphasised the importance of considering gender in dementia research. 
  • T. Rune Nielsen [12] discussed the importance of reaching out to and including minority ethnic groups in dementia research. 
  • John Angel Bond [13] presented “Queering Up Dementia Care: The Next Steps,” highlighting the collaborative nature of the work with Mike Parish from the LGBTQ+ Dementia Advisory Group. 
  • Eimear McGlinchey [14] discussed the link between Down syndrome and Alzheimer’s disease. 
  • Daniela S. Jopp [15] presented on “Healthy ageing – is it possible to escape dementia?”. 
  • Jean-Charles Lambert [16] explored the role of genetics, asking “When does dementia become inescapable?”. 
  • Ira Haraldsen [17] shared results from the AI-Mind project. 
  • Bogdan Draganski [18] discussed new preventative approaches for vascular dementia. 

Collaborative Networks 

Several collaborative networks met in Geneva during the conference, including the European Group of Governmental experts on Dementia, the European Alzheimer’s Disease Consortium, the INTERDEM network, the European Working Group of People with Dementia, and the European Dementia Carers Working group. 

Looking Ahead 

Mario Possenti (Federazione Alzheimer Italia) invited delegates to the 35th Alzheimer Europe Conference, “Connecting science and communities: The future of dementia care”, which will be held in Bologna, Italy, from 6 – 8 October 2025. 

The conference continues to serve as an inspiring platform for sharing research, encouraging collaboration, and advancing dementia care on a global scale. 

References 
  1. Paddy Crosbie (Ireland) 
  2. Shelagh Robinson (UK) 
  3. Lilo Klotz (Germany) 
  4. Katrin Seeher (World Health Organization (WHO) Brain Health Unit)
  5. Alex Gobey (Director of the Dementia Care Directorate in Malta) 
  6. Giovanni Frisoni (University of Geneva, Switzerland) 
  7. Tobias Nef (University of Bern, Switzerland) 
  8. Esther Loseto-Gerritzen (University of Nottingham, UK) 
  9. Aisling Flynn (Bournemouth University, UK) 
  10. Lizzy Boots (Alzheimer Center Limburg/Maastricht University, Netherlands) 
  11. Antonella Santuccione Chadha (Women’s Brain Foundation) 
  12. T. Rune Nielsen (Danish Dementia Research Centre) 
  13. John Angel Bond (University of Stirling, UK, and LGBTQ+ Dementia Advisory Group) 
  14. Eimear McGlinchey (Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, and Global Brain Health Institute) 
  15. Daniela S. Jopp (University of Lausanne)
  16. Jean-Charles Lambert (Université de Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, France)  
  17. Ira Haraldsen (Oslo University Hospital, Norway) 
  18. Bogdan Draganski (University of Bern, Switzerland)