Impression of a Meeting Centre in Milan by a visiting Dutch Elderly Care Physician

On a sunny Thursday morning in February I enter the colourful building of the Centro Socio Ricreativo e Culturale, that only half an hour later will be filled with cheerful talking and laughter of the 15 persons with dementia and their carers who are being expected. At that moment I meet the only person who is present, the coordinator of the MeetingDem project, Leonora. I visit this place out of interest, being intrigued by the explanation of the MEETINGDEM research project by my colleague at the Free University, Franka Meiland, who had introduced me by mail to doctor Elisabetta Farina. And I am in Milano anyway. I feel immediately at home, having been given such a warm welcome by the professionals, the volunteers, the participants and their relatives. I discuss with dr Farina the necessity of the centre for the persons with dementia and their carers, and the problems to be addressed with the counsel concerning the accommodation and the financing of the project. Actually today, the “Friends of the MeetingDem project” is founded, with the aim to support the continuation of this relevant project.   I attend a session of cognitive exercises, which is done in a very respectful and stimulating atmosphere. Although the performance of the persons with dementia is taken seriously, there is also plenty of opportunities for making jokes and singing songs around the table. Today happens to be a special day: it is carnival, and after the hard work participants and their relatives plunge into a party with masks – made by themselves a week before – together with dancing on music, local treats and drinks. Laura, the psychomotor therapist, assures me that these festivities are really an exception, and that normally the participants are doing psychomotor activities. Everyone joins in and seems to be happy. I feel privileged to be present today!   At the end of the morning, the participants go outside in the large garden after all, to do some gymnastic exercises in the warm February sun. I am touched by the warm atmosphere and the commitment of the professionals and volunteers towards the persons with dementia and their carers, and I noticed that they all appreciated my visit, as well as this sign of interest in their small community from abroad.   Dr. Marjon Oolbekkink, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.