Exhibition opening at the City Library

Encouraging photos

"Mathilda" hugs her teddy bear and even at the age of 98 is still bubbling with childlike joy despite severe physical and mental limitations. Moni, now 86, has been suffering from Alzheimer's disease for ten years. Completely immersed in her favourite music by Tchaikovsky, she swings her chiffon scarves with soul, an intense, happy moment for mother and daughter. Willi's witty ideas provide variety in the AWO nursing home: As a member of the residents' council, he supports the nursing staff at the Rudi Adams House in Quadrath and is always ready for a joke. Renate, too, simply laughed away her illness during her lifetime – be it during a spontaneous dance with clown Frieda or cuddling with visiting dog "Trixie". "Giving joy" is also the mission of the Tierfreunde Rhein-Erft: Animals, no matter what species, are true "door openers" for older people, people with dementia or handicaps and provide hours of pleasure in care facilities.

In the middle of life

"People with dementia – in the middle of life" is the motto of an exhibition that the Bergheim City Library is showing as part of the 7th Dementia Week of the Rhein-Erft district. The photos, which the Local Alliance has called for, show the lives of and with people with dementia in all their diversity – beautiful moments and memories, everyday life that is not always easy, situations that make life valuable and will be remembered forever. "Dementia does not only mean "no longer being able to". Rather, people with dementia have a lot to give, are sensitive and humorous, want to and should actively participate," says head of department Matthias Esser, who opened the exhibition on Tuesday, 16.04.2024, in the Medio Lounge. "We don't leave anyone alone," he emphasized with regard to the new "Living in Old Age" counselling centre, a joint project of the city and the district. Even if dementia is currently not curable, medical treatment, counselling, social care and expert care can help the sick and their relatives – a comprehensive range of services that the Local Alliance for People with Dementia Bergheim has been continuously expanding since its founding in 2014.

"Dementia is still a horror in society today and especially for patients and their relatives. Those affected are faced with a large mountain of uncertainty and need a loving social environment that supports them with patience and understanding and does not exclude them," explained Anni Wilbertz from the Alzheimer Society Bergheim. Be it counselling, respite services, discussion groups or dementia cafés: she and her team, together with many others from the network of institutions and volunteers, support relatives and patients and help them to regain their strength. "One thing is certain, the heart does not become demented, no matter how crazy everyday life is," says Anni Wilbertz. "Rejoice in life" also recommended the adventure journey in words and sound with music teacher Judith Schmitz. With the help of poems, short stories and conversations, she immersed those present in the past and at least awakened spring fever with her songs.

After the vernissage, the exhibition will continue to be on display during the usual opening hours of the Bergheim City Library (Tue – Fri 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and digitally in the Bergheim Senior Citizens' Portal .