Dementie: Now and in the Future

From October 30, 2026 08:00 until October 31, 2026 17:00

At COURTYARD by MARRIOTT CURACAO

Posted by Luigia Baerecke

DEMENTIA: UNDERSTANDING, PREVENTING & CARING

Join us for a two-day conference dedicated to one of the most pressing health and care challenges of our time.

The growing number of people living with dementia is a cause for increasing concern worldwide, including in Curaçao and across the Caribbean. Dementia affects not only the person diagnosed but also has a profound impact on families, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and society as a whole.

At the same time, advances in research and clinical practice are providing new insights into the different types and causes of dementia, as well as risk reduction and prevention, treatment, and care.

This conference brings together medical professionals, healthcare workers, caregivers, policymakers, and other stakeholders to share knowledge and explore how we can better respond to the challenges of dementia in our Caribbean community.

What can we do to reduce the risk of dementia? How can dementia and its symptoms be treated and managed? And how can we better support families and caregivers facing the increasing demands of caring for a loved one with dementia?

These and other important questions will be addressed during this two-day conference.

Be part of this important exchange of knowledge and experiences as we work together toward better dementia prevention, treatment, care, and support in Curaçao and the wider Caribbean.

October 30, 2026 - Session 1

From - To	Subject	Speaker
18:30-19:00	Registration session 1
19:00-19:05	Opening & welcome	Rob de Lannoy / Judella Daal Curaçao
19:05-19:30	A Region in Transition. Dementia in Latin America and the Caribbean. Epidemiology, challenges and the future of care.	Remo Kock Aruba
19:30-20:15	The Role of the Dementia Case Manager: Expert, Care-Chain Coordinator and Ambassador. The Building Blocks of the Training Programme in Sint Maarten and BES Islands	Saskia Danen-de Vries The Netherlands
20:15-20:30	Coffee Break
20:30-20:55	You've Got Dementia. We’ve got you: Het effect en de kracht van dagopvang voor mensen met dementie en de ondersteuning van mantelzorgers	Violet Godet-Todman Aruba
20:55-21:20	Dementia Case Management in the Caribbean. Lessons Learned. Opportunities for Curaçao, Aruba and Bonaire	Marieke Dooremalen The Netherlands
21:20-22:05	New Insights into the Development of Neurodegenerative Changes. The onset and development of neurodegenerative disorders. What we currently know about the proteins that accumulate in the brain in these disorders.The main known risk and genetic factors.	Jort Vijverberg The Netherlands
22:05	Closure

October 31, 2026 - Session 2

From - To	Subject	Speaker
8:30-9:00	Registration session 2
9:00-9:45	It Did Not Start with Forgetfulness. Why we so often recognize one of the most profound Forms of Dementia too late	Nienke Smits Aruba
9:45-10:10	It Takes an Island. Building a Dementia-Friendly Island Together	Violet Gumbs Sint Eustatius
10:10-10:40	Coffee break
10:40-11:05	Dementia in Barbados Beyond Awareness to Action	Asha Jones Barbados
11:05-11:30	Empowering Families Education and support enhance the quality of life of people with dementia and their family caregivers	Chanerika Hellement Curaçao
11:30-11:55	Recognizing the Signs How Sint Eustatius Uses the Film ‘Ten Signs of Dementia’ to Strengthen Dementia Awareness and Early Detection	Lucienne Papa Sint Eustatius
12:00-13:00	Lunch break

October 31, 2026 - Session 3

From - To	Subject	Speaker
13:00-13:15	Registration session 3
13:15-13:40	Prospects in Diagnosis and Treatment of Neurodegenerative Disorders. Prospects in the Development of Neurodegenerative Changes The latest biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. New treatments that have now been approved for Alzheimer’s disease. The latest scientific developments in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.	Jort Vijverberg The Netherlands
13:40-14:05	Life Does Not Stop at the Diagnosis. Good Support at Home Makes a Difference for People with Dementia and Their Loved Ones	Nienke Smits Aruba
14:05-14:30	United Through Music: Music in Dementia Care. Where Words Fade, Music Continues to Connect	Marjon Halmeyer-Roos and Jet Thoonen Curaçao
14:30 - 14:55	CliniClowns: The Power of Wonder Effects of CliniClown Encounters in Dementia Care	Jet Thoonen and Marly Bove-Evertsen Curaçao
14:55 - 15:20	From Care to Legal Protection The Path to Guardianship: Collaborating with Family Caregivers, Healthcare Professionals and the Court	Remo Kock Aruba
15:20 - 15:45	Beyond the Diagnosis: Reimagining Dementia Care in the Caribbean	Asha Jones Barbados
15:45 - 16:00	Closure

EARLY REGISTRATION OFFER

Register by August 19 and receive 10% OFF your conference registration fee!
Don’t miss this special offer — secure your spot and take advantage of the early registration discount.

Payment must be submitted at the time of registration. Please note that all unpaid registrations will be automatically cancelled after August 19.

Registration Fee:

General Practitioner, Medical Doctor & other $ 250
Nurses and Paramedics $ 115

Learning goals:
* What are the main causes of several forms of dementia.
* How can we prevent or minimize progression
* What scientifici therapies are available

Target Audience:
* General Practitioners
* Specialists
* Nurses

ABAN (Pending)
CAN (Pending)